CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley urged coastal counties to prepare for a possible evacuation to include Horry County. This evacuation order could go into effect Wednesday, October 5, 2016, and would include Horry County Zone A only.
Zone A includes all areas east of U.S. Business 17 (Kings Hwy), up to the intersection with U.S. 17 (Kings Hwy) and all areas east of US 17 (Kings Hwy) to the Northern county line. In addition, evacuations include all low-lying areas, mobile homes, and campground sites.
Horry County does not anticipate the need for lane reversals on Hwy. 501, but is prepared to implement the reversals if needed.
The Horry County Emergency Operations Center will open at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2016, to support the possible evacuation.
American Red Cross shelters are prepared to open tomorrow for individuals who must evacuate. Please see the shelter list and evacuation route list below. Individuals are reminded to secure their property before they evacuate. Shelters should be considered as a place of last resort to ride out the storm, shelters may be crowded, they do not accept pets and not designed for comfort. When going to a shelter, citizens will need to take their own supplies such as batteries, bedding, identification, toiletries, clothing, etc. Shelters do not accept guns, alcohol or animals.
Once the Governor rescinds an evacuation order, Horry County Emergency Management will activate the Re-Entry Plan. Re-entry will occur in phases beginning with Level 1 access into the impacted areas. Municipalities may enforce their own identification procedures at checkpoints if deemed necessary.Level 1
All public officials and personnel having key roles in life safety and the restoration of critical services after a disaster will be permitted to access the impacted area. All Level 1 personnel will be required to present and wear in full view an authorized employee identification badge. No personal vehicles will be permitted to enter impacted areas during Level 1 access, except governmental personal reporting for official business.Level 2
This allows for reentry of critical support groups, relief workers, South Carolina Law Enforcement certified security officers, healthcare personnel, business owners/essential staff, insurance adjusters and any other person(s) authorized by the jurisdiction to provide services or reduce economic loss. All Level 2 personnel will be required to present and wear an authorized employee identification badge at checkpoints.Level 3
Residents and business operators will have access to areas that have been deemed safe by the authority having jurisdiction. When possible, every effort should be made to safely assist these persons to their property if access is limited. All residents and business operations must show proper identification to enter an impacted area.Re-Entry for Residents & Property Owners
- Residents should have proper identification to gain admittance. Identification may include a valid government issued photo ID card showing the location of the property. Out of state property owners with residential or commercial properties within the affected area(s) must show a valid government issued photo identification and current documentation to verify the need for re-entry such as a utility bill, deed, property tax notice, etc…
Re-Entry for Business Owners & Essential Employees
- Business owners/operators will need proper identification to gain admittance to impacted areas such as a current business license, company photo ID card, lease documents or other official documents showing the location of the property and a valid government issued ID card.
- Essential staff/employees will also need proper identification such as a valid business or government issued ID card and an essential employee authorization letter on official company letterhead provided by the business. This letter should include a request for admittance, the employees’ name and be signed by the business owner/operator.
The forecast for Hurricane Matthew may change as the storm gets closer to the coast, residents are strongly urged to monitor local news for the most up-to-date information. In addition, citizens should survey their property to make sure outside objects are secured. It is also recommended that you review your hurricane plans now.
Additional hurricane information can be found on Horry County’s website at http://www.horrycounty.org. This link contains information on how to prepare for an emergency, evacuation routes and maps, re-entry information, shelters, etc. Horry County Emergency Management can also be followed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/horrycountyemergencymanagementdepartment/?fref=ts and Twitter at https://twitter.com/HorryEMD.HORRY COUNTY EVACUATION ROUTES
- 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.
Residents that live in Evacuation Zone C should utilize the closest available evacuation route to safely evacuate the area.
When evacuating, it is important to take a road map. Motorists should be aware that law enforcement and the South Carolina National Guard may be posted along evacuation routes to provide assistance. Evacuation routes and maps are available on Horry County’s office website at http://www.horrycounty.org/Departments/EmergencyManagement.aspx .AMERICAN RED CROSS SHELTERS IN HORRY COUNTY
- Aynor Elementary-516 Jordanville Road, Aynor
- Aynor High-201 Jordanville Road, Aynor
- Aynor Middle School, 400 Frye Road, Galivants Ferry
- Blackwater Middle School, 900 East Cox Ferry Road, Conway
- Conway High School, 2301 Church Street, Conway
- Green Sea Floyds Elementary,5000 Tulip Road, Green Sea
- Green Sea Floyds High,5265 Highway 9, Green Sea
- Loris Elementary, 901 Highway 9 East, Loris
- Loris High-301 Loris Lions Road, Loris
- Loris Middle School, 5209 Highway 66, Loris
- North Myrtle Beach High School, 3750 Sea Mountain Highway, Little River
- Palmetto Bays Elementary, 8900 Highway 544, Myrtle Beach
- Pee Dee Elementary, 6555 Highway 134, Conway
- Whittemore Park Middle-1808 Rhue Street
