Governor Nikki Haley is asking 1.1 million South Carolinians living at or vacationing in S.C. to evacuate the coast. Charleston and Beaufort, S.C. areas are asked to evacuate by 3 p.m. today. The S.C. Governor asked Georgetown, S.C. and Horry County (Myrtle Beach Area) to evacuate by 8 a.m. Thursday morning.
In her 9 a.m. press conference this morning, Governor Haley said she expected the storm to reach Myrtle Beach as a low category 3 or high category 2 hurricane. S.C. officials are preparing after the latest Hurricane Matthew Myrtle Beach forecast, which projects the Hurricane to pass by our area on Saturday with 100 plus mile per hour winds.
Governor Nikki Haley issued an executive order declaring a State of Emergency. She asks all coastal residents and tourists to evacuate west to a minimum of 100 miles away from the South Carolina coast in advance of any impact from Hurricane Matthew.
AS OF 8 A.M. TODAY, Matthew’s projected path has it making a modest turn east. That is good news for the Myrtle Beach area. With its current zig zag trajectory, the storm could either make land or scrape along the shores just off the coast of the Myrtle Beach area. Matthew currently packs 115 plus mile an hour winds after passing through Cuba. The storm is forecast-ed to strengthen as it approaches the coast of Florida. Matthew is expected to be a category 4 hurricane by Friday morning at 2 a.m. Models have the storm potentially approaching Myrtle Beach as either a low category 3 or high category 2 storm with 100 plus mile per hour winds late Friday night into Saturday morning. (Saturday 2 a.m.)
Schools and county and state government offices in the following counties will be closed starting Today, October 5, 2016: Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Berkeley, Beaufort, Calhoun, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry (Myrtle Beach Area), Jasper, Lexington, Marlboro, Marion, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter, and Williamsburg counties.
Fuel cars, keep supplies in vehicles, secure important documents: If the storm approaches South Carolina, individuals and families should fill up their cars with gas. Road maps, nonperishable snack foods, a first-aid kit that includes a supply of your family’s prescription medications, and convenience items such as diapers should be available in the car. Secure important documents in waterproof packaging.
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Consider the safety of pets: Pets are not allowed in Red Cross shelters. Individuals and families should plan to board pets with veterinarians, kennels, or other facilities in non-vulnerable areas. Identification and rabies tags should be attached to the pets’ collars.
Hurricane Matthew Myrtle Beach Forecast: As the storm moves north and east, the National Hurricane Center will likely issue a hurricane watch. A hurricane watch indicates a hurricane will be possible within 48 hours, and residents who live in vulnerable areas should stay tuned. If a hurricane warning is issued, a hurricane is expected within 36 hours. The state urges individuals and families to do the following:
Everyone in South Carolina is urged to continue to monitor the developing forecasts from the National Hurricane Center. Pay attention to emergency warnings from local and state public safety officials and take safety actions if instructed to do so.
South Carolina’s Emergency Response Team will be operating 24-hours a day from the state’s emergency operations center preparing for hazardous conditions associated with Hurricane Matthew.