North Myrtle Beach Hurricane Center
Mandatory Evacuation Procedures
IF a hurricane threatens our area and, IF the Governor issues an evacuation order, evacuation routes will be managed as follows:
— Once the Governor issues a mandatory evacuation, lane reversals automatically occur for two sections of Highway 501— U.S. Highway 501 from SC 544 to SC 378, and U.S. Highway 501 from SC 22 to the U.S. Highway 501/SC 576 split in Marion. Once you enter a lane reversal pattern, you will not be able to get back out. Never enter a lane reversal pattern unless directed to do so by law enforcement.
— The Horry County evacuation plan to which all in North Myrtle Beach are subject requires all people located north of Briarcliffe Acres to evacuate via SC 9 North to I-95 and beyond.
— These requirements stem from the South Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Study for the Northern Conglomerate released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2012.
Reentry Procedures
When reentering the city of North Myrtle Beach after a hurricane evacuation, property owners, renters and business owners should be prepared to show 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 who are essential to business recovery 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.
The City of North Myrtle Beach does not require filing residency or business information prior to a storm.
The City’s goal is for the return of property owners and others to North Myrtle Beach as soon as possible following a hurricane evacuation so that all can help in the recovery process. However, some areas of the city may not be safe or essential utilities damaged, resulting in delayed reentry to the affected locations.
Be aware that other jurisdictions that you may travel through on your return to North Myrtle Beach from a hurricane evacuation (State, County, or other municipality) may have different identification requirements or different reentry priorities depending on damage that may have occurred in their jurisdictions.
Hurricane Information
The official hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin (Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico) is June 1 to November 30, but it never hurts to get a head start on preparing for the season.
Do you know your ZONE?
You may remember that different areas of Horry County, including North Myrtle Beach, have been assigned different “Zones” with respect to the potential impact of hurricane storm surge on a given land area.
IF a hurricane is to strike our area with force, and IF the Governor calls for a mandatory evacuation, he might do so by identifying the ZONES that must evacuate. The zone locations in Horry County are as follows:
Zone A
All areas east of U.S. 17 Business (Kings Highway), up to intersection with U.S. 17 (Kings Highway) and then all areas east of U.S. 17 (Kings Highway) to the northern county line.
Zone B
All areas south of S.C. 707 and Longwood Drive, including all areas in Longwood Plantation (Blackmoor) to the Waccamaw River and all areas east of U.S. 17 Bypass (Mark Garner Highway) to U.S. 17 (North Kings Highway) and all areas east of U.S. 17 (North Kings Highway) to the northern county line.
Zone C
All areas between U.S. 701 and S.C. 544, south of Brown’s Chapel Avenue and Hwy. 814, plus all areas east of S.C. 31 (Carolina Bays Parkway) to S.C. 90 and all areas east of S.C. 90 to U.S. 17 to the northern county line.
The Horry County Emergency Management Department provides an interactive Zone Map. Access County information at www.horrycounty.org.
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
| Category | Sustained Winds | Types of Damage Due to Hurricane Winds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 74-95 mph 64-82 kt 119-153 km/h |
Very dangerous winds will produce some damage: Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days. |
| 2 | 96-110 mph 83-95 kt 154-177 km/h |
Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage: Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks. |
| 3 (major) |
111-129 mph 96-112 kt 178-208 km/h |
Devastating damage will occur: Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes. |
| 4 (major) |
130-156 mph 113-136 kt 209-251 km/h |
Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months. |
| 5 (major) |
157 mph or higher 137 kt or higher 252 km/h or higher |
Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months. |
Hurricane Prepardness Video
Contact Information
For Non-Emergency Questions/Needs:
Dispatch-Non Emergency Line: (843) 280-5511
EOC- Non Emergency Public Line: (843) 280-5531
EOC- Non Emergency Public Line: (843) 281-3769
SCDOT – Road Conditions: (888) 877-9151
American Red Cross: (843) 477-0020
Email Questions/Concerns:
Pat Dowling: pcdowling@nmb.us
Online Resources:
Hurricane Center: CITY.NMB.US/HURRICANE
SCDOT Road Conditions: View Here
Sports Park Live Cams: nmbpark.com/park-cameras/
Flood Information: city.nmb.us/flood-information/
Road Closures: horrycounty.org/gis/roadClosures/
Press Releases: NMB.us
Social Media:
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/cityofnmb
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/cityofnmb
RESULTS – JULY 15 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Prior to the July 15 North Myrtle Beach City Council meeting, Council members met in executive session for legal briefings regarding the Parkway Planned Development Agreement, and, City Code Section 5-27-150 pertaining to opening, closing or altering streets. Council took no action.
-- During the Council meeting, City Council approved a motion to appoint North Myrtle Beach resident Jeanette Lyon to the North Myrtle Beach Tree City Board.
-- City Council adopted a resolution approving a two-year memorandum of understanding between the cities of North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach to provide reciprocal mutual aid as needed by each city as authorized pursuant to the Law Enforcement Assistance and Support Act of the Code of Laws of South Carolina, Section 23-20-10, et seq.
-- City Council tabled until its August 19 meeting second (final) reading of a proposed ordinance to rezone 145 acres of land located off Champions Boulevard/Long Bay Road from General Commercial (GC), Business Commercial (BC) and Highway Commercial (HC) to Mid-Rise Multifamily Residential (R-2A).
-- City Council tabled until its August 19 meeting second reading of a proposed ordinance to amend the Master Development Agreement between the City and SLF IV/SBI Sandridge, LLC, Et Al. The proposed amendment is associated with the City’s effort to acquire about 96 acres from the Sandridge group for expansion of the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex and to facilitate resolution of a lawsuit between the City and Sandridge regarding the extension of Champions Boulevard.
-- City Council passed first reading of a proposed ordinance to adjust the current FY 2020 Budget (July 1-June 30) to include the purchase of 96 acres by the City from the Sandridge Group at a price of $4,250,000 for expansion of the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex. The City’s property tax rate would remain the same. Essentially, the City would take out a short-term loan with which to purchase the land, and would address construction of the expanded playing fields and other facilities as part of FY 2021 Budget discussions.
-- City Council passed first reading of a proposed ordinance to update Chapter 20, Storm Water Management and Erosion Control, of the City Code to conform to recent updates to state and federal storm water permits.
-- City Council passed first reading of a proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 20, Land Development Regulations of the City Code. Staff proposes a text amendment to create special provisions regarding fire safety for development within the city, including mandating Storz connectors for fire hydrants; specifying that the maximum spacing between hydrants, measured along the roadway, is 600 feet in residential development and 500 feet in nonresidential development; and specifying turnaround standards for dead-ends greater than 150 feet in length.
-- City Council passed first reading of an ordinance to amend the Avista Resort Planned Development District (PDD) to remove a proposed retail building and plaza from the PDD and replace them with expanded Avista Resort employee parking.
-- City Council passed first reading of a proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 4, Animals and Fowl, of the City Code. Three amendments are proposed. One would prohibit leaving an animal in any unattended motor vehicle under circumstances that could cause suffering, disability or death to an animal. Another would place parameters on the manner, conditions and type of tether used to restrict the motion of a dog. A third would prohibit the sale of dogs and cats at a pet shop but would allow a pet shop to make space available to an animal shelter or animal rescue organization to offer to the public dogs and cats for adoption.
JULY 16 SPECIAL CALLED NORTH MYRTLE BEACH CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
The North Myrtle Beach City Council will hold a Tuesday, July 16, 5:30 p.m. Special Called Meeting for the purpose of holding an Executive Session at City Hall, 1018 Second Avenue South.
The Executive Session Agenda is as follows:
1. A legal briefing regarding the Court’s Injunctive Relief pertaining to CIVIL ACTION NO. 2019-CP-26-01732
PLEASE NOTE:
Anyone requiring an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or participation should contact 843-280-5555 as soon as possible but no later than 24 hours before the meeting.