August and September are the two peak months for Hurricane Season in South Carolina.

July 2025 saw some of the highest temperatures ever recorded in the Grand Strand Area. 100 degree temperatures have been common, with the heat index reaching highs of 114 degrees.

A highly intense summer can result in an uptick in the number and strength of hurricanes during Hurricane Season. Elevated sea temperatures, an essential element in the creation of hurricanes, are closely associated with climate change and can enhance both the power and occurrence of hurricanes.

The high temperatures in July were exacerbated by deforestation in various parts of Horry County, including Carolina Forest.

During summer, trees cool temperatures mainly using two mechanisms, and although they produce oxygen, this is not the primary factor behind their cooling impact.

1. Shade: Tree canopies directly block sunlight from reaching surfaces like buildings, pavement, and the ground. This reduces the amount of solar radiation absorbed by these surfaces, which in turn lowers their temperature and the temperature of the surrounding air. Shaded areas can be significantly cooler than unshaded areas, sometimes by as much as 20–45°F (11–25°C) at peak temperatures.
2. Evapotranspiration: This process involves both evaporation from the soil and transpiration from the trees themselves. Trees absorb water through their roots and release it as vapor through their leaves. As this water changes from liquid to vapor, it absorbs heat from the surrounding air, similar to how sweating cools our bodies. Evapotranspiration can reduce peak summer temperatures by 2–9°F (1–5°C). 

Oxygen creation and cooling

Trees produce oxygen through photosynthesis by utilizing sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to generate sugars for their development and emitting oxygen as a result. Although essential for life on Earth, this process does not immediately aid in cooling the environment as shading and evapotranspiration do. The Cooperative Extension Foundation states that the cooling benefits of trees stem mostly from shading and water evaporation processes.

These high temperatures typically result in more intense hurricanes during Hurricane Season.

Here’s why high heat affects Hurricane Season:

Warmer sea surface temperatures provide increased energy for hurricanes, which act as heat engines by extracting energy from the ocean. This can result in stronger storms due to the greater energy available to fuel them.

Warmer temperatures result in higher evaporation rates from the ocean surface, increasing atmospheric humidity. This additional moisture can intensify hurricanes by supplying more energy, potentially causing increased rainfall during Hurricane Season storms.

Warmer ocean temperatures lead to a higher chance of rapid intensification, causing hurricanes to quickly strengthen in a short duration. This swift escalation can hinder communities in their preparation and evacuation efforts.

Increased storm surges resulting from climate change, with higher sea levels, are now able to penetrate deeper inland due to hurricanes during Hurricane Season, leading to greater instances of flooding.

Hurricane Hazel, a Category 4 storm, was the most powerful hurricane to hit Myrtle Beach in 1954, resulting in extensive destruction with almost 80% of oceanfront structures demolished, as reported by the Myrtle Beach Sun News.

Hurricane Hugo in 1989 was another formidable storm that caused notable damage, even though it did not directly strike Myrtle Beach. Despite not having the highest wind speeds, Hurricane Matthew in 2016 inflicted significant harm on the Springmaid Pier.

Here’s a more detailed look the damages during Hurricane Season:

Hurricane Hazel, which occurred in 1954, is known as one of the most devastating storms South Carolina has ever experienced. Myrtle Beach faced wind speeds of 106 mph as a result of the hurricane, leading to significant destruction of buildings located to the east of Ocean Boulevard.

Although Hurricane Hugo did not directly hit Myrtle Beach, it resulted in flooding and destruction in the region due to its powerful winds and storm surge.

Hurricane Matthew of 2016 demonstrated its strength by largely destroying the Springmaid Pier.

In the Grand Strand area, Hurricane Ian in 2022 and Hurricane Florence in 2018 caused damage, albeit not as severe as Hazel or Hugo.