Cleanup starts in Myrtle Beach area after waterspouts caused by Idalia
After Idalia came through Myrtle Beach Wednesday, we’re getting our first look at the destruction left behind.
Crews were already out assessing the damage Thursday.
PREVIOUS: Idalia expected to churn up significant storm surge along coast
Despite being downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it made it to the South Carolina coast, Idalia still packed quite the punch.
Around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, a waterspout came ashore North Myrtle Beach and turned into a tornado.
“Everything was fine, I was watching U.S. Open tennis, and all of sudden it came, that buzzer on TV saying /get to a low area, there’s a water spout in Cherry Grove, going to be a tornado,” one homeowner said. “I took three steps and it was here, all I did was close the front door -- seconds. If I hadn’t got the front door, it would have probably sucked me out the front door.”
>> In the video at the top of the page, Channel 9’s Jonathan Lowe reports on the widespread damage in South Carolina.
(WATCH PREVIOUS: Myrtle Beach prepares for brush with tropical weather)