Tropical Storm Idalia live updates: See the tornado damage in Cherry Grove, roof in canal
A Cherry Grove house loses its roof to what could have been a tornado
UPDATED: 11:40 p.m.
A North Myrtle Beach firefighter reports a house on 56th Ave in the Cherry Grove section of North Myrtle Beach lost its roof in what appears to be a tornado-related event. The roof is now in a canal.
Several large dumpsters were moved and they are being relocated now. An oceanfront building also had some damage to the siding.
North Myrtle Beach Deputy Fire Chief Bill Floyd said this was the most severe damage, and there was one occupant inside the property, but has since been relocated.
There is minor and cosmetic damage around the neighborhood including docks and railings.
Tropical storm Idalia south of The Grand Stand at 11 p.m.
UPDATED 11:10 P.M.
Following a long day of rain and flooding the National Hurricane Center released the 11 p.m. update showing Idalia south of The Grand Strand hovering around Charleston.
Storm surge is expected throughout the night. The storm is moving at 21 mph with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph.
Reports of potential damage from a tornado in Cherry Grove
UPDATED 11:01 p.m.
— Coast__Ghost ️ (@Coast__Ghost) August 31, 2023
#Breaking: Massive flooding being reported in Cherry Grove, SC and multiple other areas along the coast as Tropical Storm #Idalia moves through.
️️ North Myrtle Beach Emergency Response reported tornado damage in the Cherry Grove area with the most recent tornado warned… pic.twitter.com/bG7wKHpMTY— TinAlerts (@TinAlerts) August 31, 2023
Tornado warning in place for Longs, Little River
UPDATED 10:30 p.m.
Tornado Warning continues for Little River SC, Longs SC and Nixons Crossroads SC until 10:45 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/09pEPJIJJh
— NWS Tornado (@NWStornado) August 31, 2023
Record set for water levels near Springmaid Pier, sections of North Myrtle Beach and Cherry Grove are flooded
UPDATED 9:25 p.m.
Water reached the doorways of beachwear stores on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. Traffic is backed up as police direct drivers away from flooded sections of Ocean Drive and Sea Mountain Highway. Many side streets in Cherry Grove are completely inundated. At least one car was flooded in the middle of Ocean Drive.
High-water rescue vehicles, operated by North Myrtle Beach Police and Fire and Rescue, patrol the area. Springmaid Pier experienced a crest of 9.13 feet, its sixth highest on record, according to Horry County Emergency Management.
Sea Mountain Highway in Cherry Grove flooding
UPDATED 8:40 p.m.
Sections of highway in the Cherry Grove section of Horry County are flooding. The rain and king tides are causing flooding. Cars and people continue to travel on the roads despite standing water.
Tornado warning issued for North Myrtle Beach and Little River
UPDATED 7:04 p.m.
A tornado warning has been issued until 7:30 p.m. for North Myrtle Beach, Little River and Carolina Shores, North Carolina, according to the National Weather Service.
Multiple homes damaged by Georgetown tornado
UPDATED 6:42 p.m.
A reported tornado felled several trees and damaged a few homes on the 600 block of Woodlawn Avenue in Georgetown, said Emergency Services Director Brandon Ellis. Reports started coming in around 6:05 p.m. Wednesday. No injuries were reported.
Ellis said there have been no other tornadoes reported in Georgetown County.
Tornado warning issued for parts of Georgetown and Horry counties
UPDATED 5:26 p.m.
National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for northeastern Georgetown County and southwestern Horry County until 5:45 p.m. Wednesday.
At 5:19 p.m. a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near near Murrells Inlet, moving north at 40 mph.
The storm will be near Murrells Inlet around 5:25 p.m., Bucksport around 5:30 p.m. and Dongola around 5:40 p.m.
Idalia downgraded to a tropical storm
UPDATED 4:59 p.m.
The National Hurricane Center announced that Idalia is now a tropical storm, downgraded from a hurricane. Idalia hit the Florida Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane Wednesday morning. A tropical storm has sustained winds from 39 to 73 mph.
Retails and bars staying up in Myrtle Beach
UPDATED 4:35 p.m.
With Hurricane Idalia nearing the Myrtle Beach area, several popular spots have announced their plans for Thursday, Aug. 31.
Broadway at the Beach will allow individual vendors to decide whether they open tomorrow. The shopping and entertainment center made the announcement on Facebook on Wednesday, Aug. 30.
Many coastal southerners traditionally host parties during storms, gathering at watering holes and in neighbors homes to drink through parties.
Tornado risk increasing as first Idalia rain showers arrive in Myrtle Beach
UPDATED 3:30 p.m.
The Myrtle Beach area will have a higher risk of isolated tornadoes from the afternoon to evening, according to Meteorologist Rachel Zouzias with the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
Intermittent bands of rain showers are moving on shore from the south. The rain and wind are expected to pick up overnight. 1/2 an inch of rain has already fallen in Myrtle Beach today.
Tropical storm warning now issued for northeast South Carolina
UPDATED 1:49 p.m.
Tropical storm watches for northeast South Carolina and southeast North Carolina have been upgraded to warnings, according to the National Weather Service.
It is possible that Idalia could be a strong tropical storm or hurricane as it moves near the South Carolina coast Wednesday night. Impacts are beginning to increase as the bands of rain associated with Idalia will include heavy rainfall, dangeous flash flooding, tornadoes and waterspouts, storm surge, coastal flooding, wind gusts exceeding 40 mph and strong rip currents.
Myrtle’s beaches closed to swimmers ahead of Hurricane Idalia. Double-red flags are posted
UPDATED 1:34 p.m.
Waters are closed to swimmers along Myrtle Beach Wednesday as double-red flags are posted ahead of Hurricane Idalia’s impact on the area late Wednesday.
The National Weather Service predicted dangerous surf conditions Tuesday due to strong rip currents and large breaking waves associated with swells from Hurricane Franklin. Conditions were expected to worsen Wednesday ahead of Hurricane Idalia.
Myrtle Beach Fire Battalion Chief Brian Mitchell confirmed Wednesday that double-red flags were posted at the beaches.
Here’s how Myrtle Beach area residents and businesses are preparing for Hurricane Idalia
UPDATED 12:37 p.m.
The parking lot was moderately full at the Publix grocery store on 136 Sapwood Road in Carolina Forest on Wednesday morning, Aug. 30.
Customers casually walked to and from the store carrying groceries in their shopping carts. Despite Hurricane Idalia making its way to the Myrtle Beach area, most residents seemed unconcerned.
Businesses on Ocean Blvd near the beach were open for businesses too, although there were few people out shopping and even less enjoying the waves during the downcast weather.
- Ben Morse / bmorse@thesunnews.com
Horry County government facilities to close Wednesday, delay opening Thursday
UPDATED 11:09 a.m.
Horry County Government facilities will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday and will open with a delay at 10 a.m. Thursday due to expected impacts from Hurricane Idalia, a release said.
All Horry County Parks & Recreation centers, ball fields and parks, as well as Horry County Memorial Library branches, will be closed beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Public safety departments will continue to provide critical services.
Myrtle Beach International Airport remains open but passengers should check the status of their flights with their airlines.
Additional information and updates can be found on Horry County’s website at www.horrycountysc.gov.
Solicitor’s Office will open later on Thursday
UPDATED 11:14 a.m.
The 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office in Horry and Georgetown counties will follow the delayed opening of Horry County Government on Thursday. The office will open at 10 a.m., according to a Twitter post.
Coast RTA announced it will alter bus service Wednesday
UPDATED 11:01 a.m.
Coast RTA will stop service at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Georgetown County (Routes 14 and 16), according to a release sent Wednesday.
Service will operate until 8 p.m. Wednesday on all other routes. This constitutes full service on routes 1,2,3,7, 10, 15 North, 15 South and 17, the release said.
Entertainment Shuttles in both North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach will discontinue at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Coast RTA expects to resume service at 10 a.m. on Thursday, the release said.
Information on service can be found at Ridetracker App, CoastRTA.com and social media for updates as conditions change.
Tornado watch issued for Myrtle Beach area
UPDATED 10:53 a.m.
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of South Carolina, which includes Horry and Georgetown counties, and North Carolina until 10 p.m., according to a Twitter post by National Weather Service in Wilmington.
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of North Carolina and South Carolina until 10 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/2kdDZ3EfsP
— NWS Wilmington, NC (@NWSWilmingtonNC) August 30, 2023
The tornado risk for portions of northeast South Carolina, including the Myrtle Beach area, and southeast North Carolina has been increased to an Enhanced Risk, a level 3 out of 5, according to the National Weather Service.
The risk will increase as bands of storms related to Hurricane Idalia move onshore, especially Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Residents are advised to be prepared to seek shelter if tornado warnings are issued for the area.
Myrtle’s Market closes because of storm conditions
UPDATE 10:11 a.m.
Myrtle’s Market is closed Wednesday due to stormy conditions, according to the Myrtle Beach City Government Facebook page.
The market, at the corner of Mr. Joe White Avenue and Oak Street, offers vendors with locally-grown produce, baked goods, crafts and gifts. It’s generally open from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 28.
Myrtle Beach Publix grocery stores will be closing early
UPDATED 9:45 a.m.
The seven Publix grocery stores located through the Grand Strand will be closing today at 3 p.m., according to a news release.
The stores are expected to reopen Thursday, Aug. 31, at 10 a.m., depending on conditions.
“Please keep in mind, hours may be adjusted, and the status of individual stores is subject to change based on Hurricane Idalia’s track and projected impacts,” according to the news release.
For a map of Publix store closures, visit www.publix.com/storm.
Is Myrtle Beach getting the ‘dirty side’ of Idalia’s wrath? What to know about the term.
UPDATED 9:18 a.m.
Myrtle Beach lovers may not like the city’s “dirty” moniker, but as Hurricane Idalia nears the South Carolina coast, the description could become literal.
Even if Idalia downgrades to a tropical storm, the Grand Strand could get its dirty side — an unofficial meteorological term to describe areas in the same direction as the wind’s path that are more susceptible to damaging rain and higher gusts.
Typically, the right side of a storm brings more of a wallop, and that’s the case with Idalia, according to the latest NWS models.
- Adam Benson / abenson@thesunnews.com
Threat levels increasing as Hurricane Idalia nears SC coast, could arrive as tropical storm
UPDATED 8:12 a.m.
Hurricane Idalia could weaken to a tropical storm by the time it hits the South Carolina coast, though chances of flooding rain and higher winds have increased, the National Weather Service said Aug. 30.
Expected to make landfall over Florida’s Big Bend Wednesday morning, Idalia will travel across southeastern Georgia before hitting South Carolina later tonight.
Wind gusts of between 58 and 73 mph are possible across coastal areas of Horry and Georgetown counties beginning late Wednesday afternoon.
- Adam Benson / abenson@thesunnews.com
Visiting Myrtle Beach for Labor Day after Idalia? Swimming safety, delays, what to know
If you’re visiting the Myrtle Beach area this week, Idalia will possibly bringing even more stress to an already busy Labor Day weekend.
The tropical storm’s remains are expected to reach South Carolina on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing over 3 inches of rain, gusty winds and isolated tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.
“We encourage visitors to check in with their accommodation and travel providers for the latest status updates,” Karen Riordan, president and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau, said in a statement.
Here are places in the Myrtle Beach area most likely to flood if Idalia hits
Horry and Georgetown counties are prone to flooding because of the double whammy of being close to the ocean and packed with rivers and wetlands.
These are the Horry and Georgetown county places most likely to flood. The locations are taken from the zip codes with the highest average current cost of flood insurance, according to FEMA data.
Hurricane Idalia emergency contacts Myrtle Beach, Horry County residents should know
From local governments to radio stations that broadcast emergency information and where to report a power outage, this is your guide to hurricane resources in Horry County.
