Hurricane IRMA Notice - September 8 - 8:00 P.M. No Evacuation

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has decided NOT to issue an evacuation order for Horry County.

He has issued a limited evacuation order for several barrier island locations in southern coastal South Carolina but he did not include lane reversals for major roadways as a part of his order. This allows people to travel freely in our state.

People who want to come to see us in North Myrtle Beach are free to do so, and they are free to move around the entire County.

That is good news but remember that these realities still exist:

• Hurricane Irma remains a very deadly storm.
• If Irma jogs to the east again, everyone from the Governor to local officials will revisit all protocols.
• Presently, it is likely that Irma will make a turn that brings across the Florida peninsula Saturday (Sept 9) night into Monday (Sept 11)
• A path across the Florida peninsula would mean less in the way of impacts for our part of the Carolinas, but it is very possible that we will see some impacts.
• Rainfall amounts of 2-inches to 5-inches are possible, with the higher amounts expected generally south of a Florence-to-Myrtle-Beach line. Some areas could receive flooding since some locations across northeastern South Carolina are 125% to 150% above normal rainfall over the last 14 days, and the ground is saturated.
• Minor coastal flooding is possible along area beaches with each high tide, beginning Sunday (Sept 10) morning, and subsequently with each high tide through Monday (Sept 11).
• Dangerous rip currents may continue through at least Tuesday (Sept 12).
  

Hurricane IRMA Update - September 8 - 3:00 P.M.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has delayed making a decision about evacuation orders ahead of Hurricane Irma until later today. The Governor and state officials would like to acquire more information about Hurricane Irma prior to making a decision.

The next update on the projected track for the hurricane will come from the National Hurricane Center at about 5:00 p.m. A final decision regarding evacuation may be made soon after that information becomes available, since the Governor currently intends to hold a news conference at 6:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, the accompanying graphic shows Hurricane Irma's projected track as of 2:00 p.m. today.

Source: City of North Myrtle Beach

Hurricane IRMA Notice - September 8 - 8:00 A.M.

As you can see from the accompanying graphic taken from the National Hurricane Center, tracking for Hurricane Irma, still very much a powerful and deadly storm, has moved to the west some and currently it appears that our area does not fall within the "cone of uncertainty."

We all know that there is no finality to tracking projections at this point, so simply complete your hurricane plan preparations and continue to monitor the forward progress of this storm.

Currently, the city of North Myrtle Beach Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is at Opcon 4, which means that EOC leaders continue to monitor this storm closely and converse with state and county emergency management leaders about probabilities and support.

All city personnel who would staff the EOC and those who would respond to emergencies on many different levels are prepared to begin their work shift rotations, should that become necessary.

 PLAN AHEAD

If you do not have a hurricane or disaster plan, we recommend that you visit www.ready.gov which offers good advice on how to prepare for a hurricane. The storm is still far enough out that you do have time to effectively prepare for it, should it head this way.

 KNOW YOUR "ZONE"

IF an evacuation is ordered in the future (none has been ordered at this time), the order will refer to Zones. If you are not familiar with the Zone in which you reside in Horry County or North Myrtle Beach, you can access the information via this link: https://tinyurl.com/y9nj6mlb If the link does not work for your, visit www.HorryCounty.org. 

Source: City of North Myrtle Beach

City of North Myrtle Beach Post-Hurricane Reentry Procedures

At this point in time an evacuation has NOT been ordered but as we ask you to prep for that possibility, depending on Irma's final track, it is only right that we also let you know the city's reentry procedures following a hurricane. They are as follows:

 -- The City of North Myrtle Beach does not require filing residency or business information prior to a storm.

 -- When reentering the city of North Myrtle Beach after a hurricane property owners, renters and business owners should be prepared to show reentry checkpoint personnel either their driver’s license, a copy of a recent water bill or property tax bill, a rental agreement, or other form of identity that proves residency or property ownership within the city.

 -- Owners of businesses with employees who do not reside within the city limits but are essential to recovery of a business should provide those employees with a letter written on company letterhead identifying them as being essential to the recovery of the business. When identifying an employee, please use their name as shown on their driver’s license so that authorities can match the two for verification.

 Be aware that these procedures apply only to the City of North Myrtle Beach. Other jurisdictions may have their own requirements.

 The City of North Myrtle Beach makes every effort to get its property owners back in as soon as possible following a hurricane because together we can all hasten recovery. However, reentry is completely dependent on the extent of damage that occurs from a hurricane. Our primary objectives following a storm are search and rescue, the identification and closure of hazardous areas, and the prevention of access to properties by those who have no business being there. Patience is always appreciated and helpful.

 The accompanying NOAA graphic shows the September 7, 11:00am projected track of Hurricane Irma. Again, don't concentrate only on the black dots. The potential remains for Irma to track anywhere within the cone or beyond.

Hurricane Irma Notice - September 7 - 10:00 A.M.

Hurricane Irma is still a very strong Category 5 storm and continues to move through the islands towards Florida. 

 

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecast has Irma making an expected turn to the North and heading toward South Carolina. 

The accompanying photo showing wind speeds provides you with some idea of when we could feel the impacts of 40mph tropical storm force winds associated with Irma, IF the storm adheres to the currently forecast track. We know Irma will turn north but exactly when remains uncertain, and there is still significant spread as to where it might travel after making its turn to the north. 

Don’t forget that the track that is emphasized is a snapshot of one tracking model. Please do not focus solely on the black dots as there is a lot of room to either side within the error cone. While the forecast has a possible landfall at the Georgia/South Carolina line, a high chance remains for a direct landfall in our area.  

The one bit of better news is that the NHC forecast has Irma weakening as it moves north due to possible interaction with land. However, if Irma moves over the open water further away from Florida that could change. 

Our best advice is repetitive but necessary: Make preparations to leave. That way, if the storm does become more threatening to us and an evacuation is determined to be necessary, you will only have to jump in the car and go.

PLAN AHEAD

If you do not have a plan, we recommend that you visit www.ready.gov which offers good advice on how to prepare for a hurricane. The storm is still far enough out that you do have time to effectively prepare for it, should it head this way.

KNOW YOUR "ZONE"

IF an evacuation is ordered in the future (none has been ordered at this time), the order will refer to Zones. If you are not familiar with the Zone in which you reside in Horry County or North Myrtle Beach, you can access the information via this link: https://tinyurl.com/y9nj6mlb If the link does not work for your, visit www.HorryCounty.org. 

As we learn more, we will post information that pertains to our area on www.nmb.us, Facebook/cityofnmb and Twitter @cityofnmb. We will also continue to use our Email News Groups.

Hurricane Irma Notice - Sept. 6 - 4:00 P.M.

S.C. Governor Henry McMaster declared a “state of emergency” today, September 6, following information from state forecasters who warned Hurricane Irma could be a “major hurricane” when and if it reaches South Carolina.

The executive order permits state agencies to coordinate their efforts if a weather emergency arises.

OVERVIEW FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

While a turn to the north is looking more and more likely by later this weekend, the uncertainty with the track and subsequent impacts remains high, especially for the Carolinas.

IMPACTS

It’s too early to tell what specific surge, wind, rainfall, and tornado impacts could occur. However, regardless of the ultimate track of the storm the combination of above normal astronomical tides and large wave action is likely to cause beach erosion, which can further damage vulnerable coastal infrastructure previously damaged by Matthew.

KEY POINTS

-- People should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place. The time for initial preparations is now. Please monitor official and credible sources for further information.

-- Ensure that your supplies are in order and know what your family would do if evacuations are ordered.

-- Remember that there are large track errors in long-range hurricane predictions. Also, the error cone is not an impact cone. Impacts can occur outside of this cone.

PLAN AHEAD

If you do not have a plan, we recommend that you visit www.ready.gov which offers good advice on how to prepare for a hurricane. The storm is still far enough out that you do have time to effectively prepare for it, should it head this way.

KNOW YOUR "ZONE"

IF an evacuation is ordered in the future (none has been ordered at this time), the order will refer to Zones. If you are not familiar with the Zone in which you reside in Horry County or North Myrtle Beach, you can access the information via this link:https://tinyurl.com/y9nj6mlb If the link does not work for your, visitwww.HorryCounty.org.

As we learn more, we will post information that pertains to our area on www.nmb.us, Facebook/cityofnmb and Twitter @cityofnmb. We will also continue to use our Email News Groups.

Hurricane Irma - Sept. 6 10:00 A.M. Update

Irma remains a deadly hurricane.

At this point in its history, most tracking models show Irma interacting with the U.S. Exactly where that first contact will occur is still unknown. At this point what is known is that contact with the South Carolina coast is still a viable possibility.

Remain alert to this storm. Make preparations now, so that IF the storm does head our way, and IF an evacuation order is given, you are not running around taking care of business at the last moment.

If you do not have a plan, we recommend that you visitwww.ready.gov which offers good advice on how to prepare for a hurricane. The storm is still far enough out that you do have time to effectively prepare for it, should it head this way.

IF an evacuation is ordered in the future (none has been ordered at this time), the order will refer to Zones. If you are not familiar with the Zone in which you reside in Horry County or North Myrtle Beach, you can access the information via this link:https://tinyurl.com/y9nj6mlbIf the link does not work for your, visitwww.HorryCounty.org.

As we learn more, we will post information that pertains to our area on www.nmb.us, Facebook/cityofnmb and Twitter @cityofnmb. We will also continue to use our Email News Groups.