Hurricane Ophelia was predicted to rake Horry and Brunswick
counties with high winds and major rain, and batter the coast with
waves through Wednesday evening.
The slow-moving storm increased in strength Tuesday as it wobbled
off the Grand Strand coast, forcing residents from low-lying areas,
closing schools and canceling some commercial flights.
The storm - less than 100 miles from Myrtle Beach on Tuesday
evening - was lashing the S.C. and N.C. coasts with wind and rain.
Ophelia had restrengthened into a Category 1 hurricane with 75 mph
winds and was moving slowly northwest at 3 mph.
Unlike Hurricane Katrina's devastating charge at the Gulf Coast,
the week-old Ophelia had been following a meandering path, making
predictions of its landfall difficult. The hurricane center's latest
long-range models forecast it to turn north late Tuesday or
Wednesday, run along the coast, then veer through Pamlico Sound,
cross the Outer Banks and head back out to sea.
A hurricane warning, which started at the South Santee River in
South Carolina, was extended northward to Cape Hatteras, meaning
hurricane conditions were expected within 24 hours. A hurricane
watch and tropical storm warning were in effect north of Cape
Hatteras to the North Carolina/Virginia border, including the
Pamlico and Albemarle sounds.
Locally, a number of flights were canceled at Myrtle Beach
International Airport Tuesday, and schools and colleges announced
plans to remain closed Wednesday because of the storm.
Horry County is forecast to receive as much as six to 10 inches
of rain, and eastern North Carolina could receive up to 15 inches in
some places, according to the National Hurricane Center forecast.
Similar heavy rains in North Carolina during Hurricane Floyd in 1999
caused destructive flooding in Horry County, particularly Conway.
Reid Hawkins, meteorologist from the National Weather Service in
Wilmington, N.C., said even with expected heavy rain, the Waccamaw
River is not likely to flood because of an unusually dry season.
Current predictions are that water in the river will rise to within
about three inches of flood stage, which is seven feet.
In the Myrtle Beach area Tuesday, oceanfront campers moved to
higher ground while many tourists and residents stayed behind.
Golf courses and marinas had little business Tuesday, while sales
in some grocery stores across the Grand Strand picked up as Ophelia
inched closer.
A few golf courses in Sunset Beach closed, and courses along the
Grand Strand lost business after large groups and individuals
canceled tee times. Some golfers in Horry and Georgetown counties,
however, squeezed in some cool weather play before the storm.
That was pretty much the pattern along the Coastal Carolinas -
lots of uncertainty - as residents and businesses awaited the
slow-moving storm.
Grocery stores along the coast said shoppers were buying up
bottled water, batteries, flashlights and canned foods.
"We started to get slammed (Monday evening) and we were slammed
all night. We had a very, very busy morning," said Tim Harm, manager
of the Bi-Lo at 38th Avenue North in Myrtle Beach.
In North Carolina, mandatory evacuations were ordered for Holden
Beach, Ocean Isle Beach and the island of Sunset Beach. Plans also
were made to close the bridges to the islands by 7 p.m.
The county had already issued a mandatory order for everyone in
low-lying areas and people living in mobile homes this morning and
three shelters remained open for evacuees. Rainfall projections of
15 inches could cause isolated flooding.
Some power outages in Brunswick are expected from the storm.
Isolated tornadoes also are possible along coastal North Carolina
later Tuesday and tonight.
This afternoon, 47 people were at South Brunswick High School,
which is closest to Southport and Oak Island, 20 to 30 in West
Brunswick High School and about 20 in North Brunswick High School.
Emergency management officials expect the eyewall to pass just
east of Southport, which could experience hurricane force winds by 8
a.m. Wednesday. That level of winds could settle over the county for
as long as eight hours, according to an update from the emergency
operations center.
The slow-moving storm did give emergency planners time to order
evacuations so people could leave during daylight hours.
As of 6 p.m., school was canceled for Wednesday at public schools
in Horry and Georgetown counties, as well as for Coastal Carolina
University and Horry-Georgetown Technical College.
Horry County emergency workers strongly urged residents of
low-lying areas, mobile homes and campground sites to seek shelter
at one of the county's designated voluntary shelters, Conway High
School on 2201 Church St., or Loris Elementary at 901 S.C. 9
Business E.
By 7 p.m., the Coastal South Carolina Chapter of the American Red
Cross was sheltering 79 people between the two Horry shelters and
one in Georgetown County.
Horry County public works and utility crews were on standby for
possible storm debris pickup and removal.
The county said its main concern was wind up to 40 mph through
the day and stronger gusts of up to 60 mph beginning Tuesday
evening.
Residents should stay close to home and not travel the roads
unless absolutely necessary, the county warned.
The storm caused cancellation of some flights scheduled for
Tuesday and Wednesday at Myrtle Beach International Airport, Airport
Director Bob Kemp said. Anyone scheduled to fly to or from the
airport should contact their airline to confirm the flight status.
Along the coast, a 4- to 6-feet increase in the tide was expected
from the storm, the National Hurricane Center reported.
In Georgetown County, sales of bottled water, batteries and bread
were brisk at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Georgetown during a break in
the stormy weather Tuesday morning.
"I have batteries but I thought I needed water and some snacks,"
said Harolyn Siau from Georgetown. "I know when the wind starts
around Georgetown the power goes out. It is always something like
that."
Meanwhile, the Georgetown County Emergency Operations Center
remained partially activated and a shelter was open at Pleasant Hill
Elementary School in Hemingway for anyone fleeing the storm.
All non-essential county offices were closed for the day and
officials said a decision would come later Tuesday over whether to
hold a scheduled County Council meeting.
