Hurricane Charley's whirl through the Grand Strand resulted in damage estimates of $1 million in Myrtle Beach, $1.5 million in Georgetown County, at least 200 structures seriously damaged in Brunswick County, N.C., and total damage likely in the millions with the loss of property and crops and the costs of cleanup.

Residents continued cleanup efforts Monday as insurance adjusters arrived to assist with claims and rebuilding while tourists returned for family vacations and golf outings.

S.C. Insurance News Service reported nearly 1,000 Hurricane Charley claims as of 3 p.m. Monday.

The average claim amount was almost $2,000, Executive Director Allison Love said.

Total insured property damage was about $1.8 million, and most of the damage was from the Myrtle Beach and Georgetown areas, Love said.

Officials said these numbers likely would rise a little more.

S.C. and N.C. officials spent Monday taking damage estimates and reports from towns and counties to determine whether either state can apply for federal aid. Aid depends on a disaster declaration.

John Legare, spokesman for the S.C Emergency Management Division, said no actual figures were available late Monday, but the state hopes to know by today whether a request can be made.

"It's been a process of figuring out what's been damaged," Legare said.

"We should know [today] whether the state is going to ask for emergency assistance," said Lewis Dugan, Georgetown County Emergency Services director. "If we don't meet [Federal Emergency Management Agency] standards, there is a possibility of [Small Business Administration] loans. Most of the damage is trees and debris; if we get a presidential declaration, we will get some help."

Early counts

In Georgetown County, damage estimates were $1.5 million.

Myrtle Beach officials estimated Monday that damage within the city topped $1 million, spokesman Mark Kruea said.

Conway City Administrator Steve Thomas said the city was out about $30,000 for employee overtime and other expenses but had no major damage.

Brunswick County, N.C., Emergency Services Director Randy Thompson said that with 14 of 19 municipalities reporting, 1,767 structures were damaged, and more than 200 suffered major damage.

Figures from rural, unincorporated parts of the county are not yet available, he said.

In Horry County, other towns such as Aynor and Loris reported minor damage.

"We were blessed; we were spared the majority of it," Loris Mayor David Stoudenmire said.

River rising

Weather forecasters are not calling for rain until Friday, but they ask residents along the Waccamaw River to be cautious of its rising waters.

Minor flooding is expected to occur when the river crests about 8 p.m. tonight at 7.5 feet, ½half a foot above flood stage.

It will remain high through the weekend and recede to 7.4 feet by Saturday, which is as far as the flood outlook is forecast.

Floodwaters are expected to affect residential yards in Lees Landing, Pitch Landing, Savannah Bluff and other riverfront areas.

Much of the overflow will be in natural swamp and boat landing areas, officials said.

Utility outages

Scattered power outages continued Monday as crews worked to remove trees from lines, install new wires and reconnect homes and businesses.

All Horry Electric customers had their electricity restored by 10:40 p.m. Sunday, spokeswoman Penelope Hinson said.

Santee Cooper officials said about 50 customers remained without power Monday afternoon.

In Georgetown County, Santee Electric Cooperative had fewer than 100 customers still without power, said Elissa Swicord, a spokeswoman.

Community aid

For those who lost power or whose homes were damaged significantly, the Horry County American Red Cross provided assistance with shelter, food and water.

A couple of families in Loris, North Myrtle Beach and Socastee were receiving assistance from the Red Cross, said Jenifer Sweat, a spokeswoman.

Staff writers Colin Burch, David Klepper, Kelly Marshall and Brock Vergakis contributed to this report.