As Hurricane Florence continues to move across the Atlantic, Horry County along with the city of Conway have moved to OPCON 3 Sunday afternoon to prepare for the storm, according to a press release.
OPCON 3 means the storm poses a significant threat.
“What we want folks to know is that we’re taking this storm very seriously and they should too. So now is the time to start preparing and make sure everybody has their plans and is ready to go,” said county spokesperson Kelly Moore.
The county’s Emergency Operations Center has now been activated. First responders and emergency officials convened at the EOC for most of Sunday and will return Monday morning. According to Moore, they are in constant communication with local municipalities and state emergency officials. Moore said they are continuing to monitor the progress of the storm and plan accordingly.
The EOC has also activated a phone bank that will eventually be open 24 hours. Horry County residents may dial into the phone bank at 843-915-5150.
The county says residents should prepare in case an evacuation order is given. Parts of Horry County are divided into different zones in the event of an evacuation.
- Zone A: All areas east of U.S. Business 17 (Kings Hwy), up to the intersection with U.S. 17 (Kings Hwy) and then all areas east of US 17 (Kings Hwy) to the northern county line.
- Zone B: All areas south of Hwy 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 Hwy) to U.S. 17 (North Kings Hwy) and all areas east of U.S. 17 (North Kings Hwy) to the northern county line.
- Zone C: All areas between Hwy 701 and Hwy 544, south of Brown’s Chapel Avenue and Hwy 814, plus all areas east of Highway 31 (Carolina Bays Parkway) to Highway 90 and all areas east of Highway 90 to U.S. 17 to the northern county line.
- Mobile homes, campers and those in flood-prone areas are asked to evacuate for all storms.
- Horry County evacuates for storm surge and not for wind
Your evacuation route will depend on where you are located at.
- North Myrtle Beach and northward: Evacuees from north of Briarcliffe Acres will take SC 9 north to I-95 and beyond.
- Briarcliffe Acres south to Myrtle Beach 10th Avenue North: Evacuees in Briarcliffe Acres south to 10th Avenue North will take SC 22 (Conway Bypass) to US 501 to Marion. In Marion, they may then take US 76 to Florence to access I-95 southbound or they may stay on US 501 to SC 38 to access I-95 northbound.
- Myrtle Beach, from 10th Avenue North south to the Myrtle Beach International Airport: Evacuees from the Myrtle Beach area south of 10th Avenue North and north of the Myrtle Beach International Airport will take US 501 to Conway. They may then take US 378 to Columbia or continue on US 501 to Marion. In Marion they may then take US 76 to Florence to access I-95 southbound or they may stay on US 501 to SC 38 to access I-95 northbound.
- Myrtle Beach International Airport southward through Surfside Beach: Evacuees from the Myrtle Beach International Airport south through Surfside Beach will take SC 544 to US 501 to Conway. They may then take US 378 to Columbia or continue on US 501 to Marion. In Marion they may then take US 76 to Florence to access I-95 southbound or they may stay on US 501 to SC 38 to access I-95 northbound.
- Garden City Beach south to Winyah Bay: Evacuees from Garden City Beach south to Winyah Bay will take US 17 south through Georgetown. They will then take US 521 to SC 261 to US 378 to Columbia. Alternatively, they may take US 17 south to US 701 in Georgetown to SC 51 to US 378 at Kingsburg.
Those residents in Evacuation Zone C should use the closest available route to safely evacuate the area.
Horry County School officials are also monitoring the progress of Hurricane Florence, according to a press release.
If a mandatory evacuation order is given 12 Horry County schools could open as shelters and are operational within four hours of the order.
Stay with News 13 for the latest information on Hurricane Florence.
