The City of North Myrtle Beach has established a daily curfew ahead of Hurricane Florence.
According to a press release from the city, the daily curfew will start on Thursday and will run from 7p.m. to 7 a.m. until further notice.
The purpose of the curfew is to “preserve, protect or sustain the life, health welfare or safety of persons, or their property within a designated area under a declaration of emergency, and to promote order, protect lives, minimize the potential for looting and other crimes, and facilitate recovery operations during an emergency,” states the release. “It shall be unlawful for any person to travel, loiter, wander or stroll in or upon the public streets, highways, roads, lanes, alleys, sidewalks, parks or other public grounds, public places, public buildings, places of amusement, eating places, vacant lots or any other place during a declared emergency between hours specified by City Council or until the curfew is lifted.”
According to the release, the curfew does not apply to the following people:
- authorized or essential law enforcement personnel
- authorized and essential firefighters
- authorized and essential emergency response personnel
- authorized and essential health care providers
- elected officials of the city
- authorized and essential personnel of the city
- authorized National Guard or federal military personnel
- authorized and essential personnel or volunteers working with or through an emergency management agency
- authorized and essential utility repair crews
- citizens seeking to restore order to their homes or businesses while on their own property or place of business
- persons in search of emergency medical services
