Will Myrtle Beach become an island during Idalia? What to know about bridges and the storm.

Adam Benson
·3 min read
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Even on a good day, driving across certain South Carolina bridges can be a white-knuckle ride, as nearly 2,000 of them are in need of repairs.

Horry County is home to two of the state’s busiest structurally-deficient spans, and 43% of its 476 bridges are either in fair or poor condition, according to a Federal Highway Administration report.

With Hurricane Idalia headed expected to make landfall in Florida, outer bands of the storm will bring heavy rains and possible coastal flooding to Horry County, although winds shouldn’t get much stronger than 8 mph, the National Weather Service says.

At those speeds, bridges would remain unharmed.

Emergency management officials in Lee County, Florida, on the state’s gulf coast, don’t consider limiting traffic on their bridges until gusts hit at least 40 mph.

In South Carolina, the state Department of Transportation has authority to close bridges, but that’s a rare step for the agency to take.

“Bridges typically do not close in the case of inclement weather. The only time bridges will close is if they are structurally damaged or if there is a motor vehicle accident that will necessitate their closure,” Georgetown County spokesman Randy Akers said in an email.

Some of Horry County’s most-used bridges are already in poor condition, according to online database bridgereports.com

That list includes:

  • A U.S. 501 bypass bridge over the Waccamaw River in Conway

  • A bridge on S.C. Route 90 that crosses over S.C. Road 14 outside of Conway

  • A bridge on U.S. Route 701 over Crabtree Swamp in Conway

Here’s how you can stay safe driving on a bridge in bad weather.

Travelers Insurance offers several tips on how to drive in heavy winds and rain.

  • Anticipate gusts. Take special care when driving through areas prone to strong winds or when weather reports predict severe weather.

  • Notice larger vehicles. Be aware of large vehicles on the road such as tractor-trailers and recreational vehicles. They are more susceptible to high winds and drivers may have difficulties staying in their lanes.

  • Keep a firm grip on the wheel. Keep both hands on the wheel in case the wind begins to move your vehicle, especially if you are driving a large vehicle or towing a trailer.

  • Take your time. Slow down to help avoid hydroplaning. Also, one of the most dangerous times to drive can be soon after it begins to rain. The rain can cause oils on a roadway to rise to the surface and make conditions slick. Waiting a while after rains begin, rather than rushing to your destination, can be a safer plan when it is raining.

  • Turn your lights on. Turning on your headlights can help you to see more clearly and also helps other vehicles see you. Many states require the use of headlights during rain.

  • Give other vehicles more space. Add 1 to 2 extra seconds of following time in the rain, which gives you, and the cars behind you, more time to react to traffic.