MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The Myrtle Beach City Council wants state lawmakers to pass a bill that would prevent people from suing the city if they stay behind during a mandatory evacuation.

The law wouldn't keep people from staying at their homes when the governor orders everyone to leave, but it would remind them that paramedics, police officers and other emergency workers won't be able to come to their aid if conditions are too dangerous.

"I don't misunderstand anybody who wants to stay in their home, but a lot of people have a false reassurance; they believe there's a safety line to the city," Mayor Mark McBride said.

City officials said it would be the first statewide law of its kind in the country.

However, Grand Strand lawmakers are split on the issue.

"Clearly there is a point in time when every reasonable person should have responded to the evacuation order, and it's that time that needs to be identified," said Rep. Alan Clemmons, R-Myrtle Beach, who is working on a plan to specify at what point the city would stop providing services during a mandatory evacuation.

Myrtle Beach city employees currently stop responding when winds reach over 50 mph, spokesman Mark Kruea said.

Other lawmakers said there is no need for the bill because anyone who sued the city after defying a mandatory evacuation wouldn't get far.

"I think a judge in South Carolina is going to throw out a case like that," said Rep. Tracy Edge, R-North Myrtle Beach. "I think there are higher-priority issues that are out there"

A man who refused to evacuate when ordered in California sued fire officials after he was injured. He lost his case, city attorney Tom Ellenburg said.

Myrtle Beach has not been sued by anyone who has ignored an evacuation, Kruea said.

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Information from: The Sun News, http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/