Tropical Storm Debby: Flooding a major concern in Myrtle Beach area as storm approaches (2024)

The Myrtle Beach-area coast is expected to see impacts from Tropical Storm Debby through the week, with potentially life-threatening flooding expected in Horry County.

The National Weather Service is forecasting up to 20 inches of rain in parts of Horry County. That amount of rainfall is severe and — although every storm and its impacts differ — can be compared to levels seen during Hurricane Florence in 2018, which brought 11 inches of rainfall to Conway and 24 inches to Loris. In 2023, Hurricane Idalia brought about eight inches of rainfall to Conway and nine inches to Loris.

As the remnants of Hurricane Debby meanders across the state, impacts have started with some rain bands on Monday afternoon.

Le Hendrick, Conway's director of emergency management and the city's fire chief, said as Monday evening, it is possible that the storm could go back into the Atlantic and Horry County could see a direct impact from the storm as a hurricane. The worst impacts are expected from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.

"Right now, we are going to prepare for the worst, like we always do," he said. "This is going to dump rain, and dump rain, and dump rain.

"It's definitely nothing to be taken lightly."

Storm surge is possible one to two feet above ground level in flood-prone areas, according to an NWS Wilmington briefing released Monday morning.

“It definitely seems like freshwater flooding is the biggest concern,” NWS Wilmington meteorologist Bob Bright said. “There’s still some uncertainty regarding the track and the strength of the storm as it gets closer to us, but with the newest forecast that’s come out now, it has shifted closer to us. The main concern will be heavy rain and hazardous marine and surf conditions.”

The slow-moving speed of the storm will contribute to the high amount of rainfall, Bright said, and river flooding could extend through the weekend. River levels in Horry County are about normal now, Bright said, and soil moisture levels are moderate to higher than average.

Wind is less of a concern, but can still cause power outages and downed trees. Wind gusts may reach 40-50 miles per hour in the area. Even though wind speeds are not as severe as some storms, the ground saturation caused by severe rainfall can lead to downed trees and serious concerns regardless.

“Gusty winds, they don’t have to be that strong if we get all that rain, even if the winds aren’t that strong,” Bright said. “Thirty, 40, 50 miles per hour, most people don’t think is that big of a deal, but we still can have power outages and impacts from downed trees and power lines because the ground is so wet.”

Local jurisdictions prepare

Horry County Government moved into to OPCON 2 (Level 2 Operation Condition) on Monday as of noon, which means the county is operating in a heightened state of awareness with emergency plans beginning to be implemented.

The cities of Conway and Surfside Beach have issued states of emergency as of 5:30 p.m. Monday evening.

County officials have started discussions with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, coastal communities including local municipalities, and will continue to monitor the situation closely, the county said in a release.

The city of Conway has a sandbag site at 1710 Freeman Drive with free sand and sandbags for Conway residents.

The city of Myrtle Beach also has free sand at the empty lot between the City Services building at 921 North Oak Street and the Train Depot for Myrtle Beach residents. Residents are asked to enter the lot using Jackson Street. Bags and some shovels will be available, but residents are encouraged to bring their own shovels.

"There will be sand drop-offs staggered throughout the day, but when it's gone, it's gone. Please be polite and courteous to others," according to a post from the city.

The city of North Myrtle Beach has a free sand station at 1st Avenue South adjacent to the city's Sanitation Center. Sand is first come, first serve and residents must bring their own sandbags. "Sandbags can be purchased in packs of 25 at these stores located in North Myrtle Beach - Boulineau's, Vereen's, Windy Hill Hardware, Home Depot, and Lowes," the city said in a release.

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