HORRY CO., (WBTW)- Horry County officials warn people in the Socastee area they could experience worse flooding than they did after Hurricane Matthew.

The latest predictions from the National Weather Service, on Thursday, shows the Intracoastal Waterway in Socastee cresting on September 28th. Officials are telling people now is the time to prepare.

Hundreds of volunteers from several schools in Horry County worked Thursday to fill up 12 thousand sand bags. They delivered them to neighborhoods that will be impacted by flooding.

“It’s amazing to see the community come together in a time of need,” said Socastee High School principal, Jeremy Rich.

“There’s some pretty bad flooding in some areas but im hoping most homes will be safe and sound,” said Baylee Payne, a student at St. James High School.

“We’re really looking forward to being able to help them and be prepared as much as possible. We are so much more prepared than Matthew,” said Ward Wilson, a student at Socastee High School.

The flood projections are worse than they were 2 years ago. The National Weather Service shows the Intracoastal Waterway is expected to crest between 21 and 23 feet. During Matthew, it crested at 19 feet. Horry County officials said people still have time to prepare.

“That might mean evacuating. That might mean just getting ready for water to limit their access to things, and there could be some electricity problems,” said Kelly Moore, spokesperson for Horry County.

Horry County officials said people should look at the Hurricane Matthew flooding map on their website.

You can type in your address to see if your area was impacted, and they said expect this go round to be worse. During Matthew, Socastee High School didn’t flood, but this time could be different.

“It does look like we could potentially get some water towards the back of the campus and we’ll put some sand bags along all the doors and entry ways and back of the school just to be safe,” said Rich.

Horry County officials said if you have any questions to call their phone bank. There is someone that can help you 24/7.

That number is 843-915-5150