Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane on a Weather MapSince North Myrtle Beach is along the Atlantic Ocean, hurricanes are a natural disaster we need to prepare for. Hurricane Season runs from June until November, with the peak in late-August to October. Throughout history, hurricanes have been known to cause major damage and fatalities.

Hurricane Facts

  • Hurricanes Can Be Deadly. The deadliest hurricane to hit the United States was in 1900, in Galveston, Texas. 8,000 people were killed. The deadliest in South Carolina was The Sea Island Hurricane of 1893, killing between 1,000 to 2,000 people in Georgia and South Carolina (mostly Beaufort) combined. The deadliest hurricane in the last 50 years was Hurricane Katrina in 2005; a category 5 that hit parts of the gulf killing 1,500 people.
  • Hurricanes Can Be Powerful. The hurricane with the highest wind speed was Hurricane Camille in 1969, hitting a speed of 190 miles per hour. Hurricane Hugo in 1989, a category 5 that hit South Carolina the hardest, had wind speeds up to 140 miles per hour.
  • Hurricanes Can Be Costly. The costliest hurricane to hit the United States was Hurricane Katrina, costing a total of 108 billion dollars in damages. The costliest to hit South Carolina was Hurricane Hugo in 1989, totaling almost 6 billion in losses in South Carolina alone.

With some simple precautions and being prepared, we can be sure to stay safe during hurricane seasons. Here’s a few lists of things to do and have on hand in case of a major hurricane. Remember, in the event of a major hurricane, always tell your loved ones you are safe!

  1. Before the Storm
  2. During the Storm
  3. After the Storm
  4. Have an Emergency Kit
  • Be sure to board up any windows and doors using plywood.
  • Listen to the radio weather stations; keep up to date with the latest info on flood warnings and wind warnings.
  • Be sure your Emergency Kit is fully stocked.
  • Bring in anything that can be picked up by the wind from outside: 
    • Grills
    • Bikes
    • Patio furniture
    • Flower pots
    • Yard art
    • If it can’t be brought in (Swing sets, trampolines, etc.) try to chain them down or use sandbags to hold them in place.
  • Turn all refrigerators and freezers to the coldest setting. Try to avoid opening and closing a lot. This way, if the power goes out, your food can try and last longer.
  • Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances.
  • Fill your car’s gas tank. In case of an evacuation, this means you can head out without stopping.
  • Talk with members of your household and create an evacuation plan of your own. Planning and practicing your evacuation plan minimizes confusion and fear during the event.
  • Evacuate if advised by authorities. Be careful to avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges.
  • Review evacuation routes; make sure to have a map ready to go to avoid being lost.