North Myrtle Beach HURRICANE GUIDE Are you prepared?
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNE
Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30 . The City of North Myrtle Beach encourages all residents to have a hurricane safety plan .
Hurricane Evacuation Zones and FEMA Flood Zones are different from one another. Flood Zones are mapped by FEMA for use in the National Flood Insurance Program. Hurricane Evacuation Zones are based on storm surge potential modeled from data by the National Hurricane Center. In South Carolina, hurricane evacuations are issued by the Governor. All evacuations issued are considered mandatory. In Horry County, there are three evacuation zones: A, B, C. These zones are based off of storm surge potential and not the category of the storm. Even if you do not live in an evacuation zone, you can evacuate. Keep in mind, even if you are not in a designated evacuation zone, you may still experience other impacts from a hurricane - high winds, tornadoes, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and power outages.
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ESS: HURRICANE EDITION To search your home or business address directly, utilize the Interactive Know Your Zone Map . Be aware that law enforcement and the South Carolina National Guard may be posted along evacuation routes to assist drivers. If individuals deviate from the primary evacuation route, they may experience delays and be rerouted back to the primary route. In the event of a hurricane, the City’s goal is for the return of property owners and others to North Myrtle Beach as soon as possible following a hurricane evacuation so that all can help in the recovery process. However, some areas of the City may not be safe or essential utilities may be damaged, resulting in delayed reentry to the affected locations.
The City of North Myrtle Beach continues to expand our capabilities in providing the best level of service to our residents and visitors. During tropical storms/hurricanes, our Fire Department staffs high water vehicles and boats to be able to quickly access those in need. Our Police Department utilizes additional resources at their disposal to assist in traffic control, as well as working along with the Fire Department for water rescue incidents. Our Public Works Department utilizes crews to help keep barricades placed in areas impacted, as well as heavy equipment to help remove debris blocking roadways to allow emergency vehicles to have clear access. HOW DO WE PREPARE?
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EVACUATION ZONES: Take SC 9 North to I-95 or take SC 22 to US 501 to Marion.
Zone A Zone B
57
Evacuation
90
Park & Sports Complex
City of North Myrtle Beach Limits
31
22
Barefoot Resort
31
17
B
Grande Dunes North
A
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9
n Route (Typ)
Tidewater
90
17
A
B
BUILD YOUR EMERGENCY EVACUATION KIT: Water (2 Gallons/Person/Day) Prescription Medications
Change of Clothes/ Warm Clothes
Important Documents
Extra Batteries
Non-Perishable Food
Phone/Charger
Toiletries
First Aid Kit
Pet Items
Maps
Cash
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PET CARE AND SAFETY IN EMERGENCIES
When preparing a family emergency plan, including pets is essential. In preparation, there are a handful of items to consider: • Maintain your pets’ immunizations and secure copies of these documents • Microchip your pets and utilize ID tags on their collars • Evacuate with your pets outside of the evacuation zones • Prepare a kit for each of your pets: • Cage or carrier large enough for your pet to stand and turn around in • Leash and harness • Food and water bowls • Food for 3 days • Medications • Health records and care instructions • Microchip numbers • Litter box with litter and clean-up supplies
Keep in mind, landmarks and scents may become unrecognizable after a hurricane, which could cause them to become lost and confused. If your pets become lost, contact your veterinarian, animal control organization, or county/state emergency managers for assistance. They will be able to assist with searching lists and databases of found and sheltered animals.
Be sure to monitor your pets closely after an emergency. Pets may become defensive or aggressive, in which case, it is recommended to leash dogs and keep them in a fenced yard with access to water and shelter. It is crucial for all pet owners to be responsible and take all precautions. The primary focus of emergency workers during any storm will be the safety of human lives.
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Debris Removal Guidelines To expedite removal, separate debris into the following categories:
Check with your local office of emergency management for more information on debris removal.
Large Appliances Refrigerator, washer/dryer, air conditioner, stove, water heater, dishwasher. Do not leave doors unsealed or unsecured.
Vegetative Debris Tree branches, leaves, logs, plants.
Construction Debris Building materials, drywall, lumber, carpet, furniture, & plumbing.
Electronics Television, computer, stereo, phone, DVD player.
Hazardous Waste Oil, battery, pesticide, paint, cleaning supplies, compressed gas.
Never touch, cut, remove, or place debris on downed lines: ▪ Can result in injury or death ▪ Placing debris near utility boxes or on lines can cause injury or damage.
Placing debris near or on trees, poles or other structures makes removal difficult. This includes fire hydrants and meters.
Placing debris near utility boxes or on lines can cause injury or damage.
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From heavy rains to hurricanes, you’ll be covered. Hurricane season is here, and one of the most important steps homeowners can take is to buy ood insurance. Flooding is the most common, and costly, natural disaster in the United States. In fact, just one inch of water in an average-sized home can cost more than $25,000 in damage. Invest in ood insurance today. Make sure you’re protected this hurricane season. Most homeowners and renters insurance policies do not cover ood damage, and ood insurance policies don’t automatically renew. Call your insurance agent today, or learn more at FloodSmart.gov/hurricane .
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Flood Prepared
Being prepared is the best defense against damage from flooding and other disasters. Steps to being flood prepared include: 1. Know Your Hazard 2. Insure Your Property 3. Protect Your Family and Self 4. Protect Your Property 5. Build Responsibly 6. Protect Natural Floodplain Functions 7. Emergency Preparedness 8. General Preparedness 9. Flood Education To speak to the City of North Myrtle Beach’s Floodplain Manager with questions about your property, please call Kendra Elliott at 843-280-5622.
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RECEIVE ALERTS CONTACTS • Dispatch Non-Emergency Line 843-280-5511
• Sign up for Emergency Alerts through the City’s website (www.nmb.us). These alerts will pertain to emergency events (weather, traffic) that are impacting the City. • Sign up for Email Notifications through the City’s website (www.nmb.us). These notifications will pertain important, need-to- know information. • Download the South Carolina Emergency Management Division’s official app to prepare for emergencies. • Register for CodeRED Alerts through the South Carolina Emergency Management Division’s website (www.scemd.org).
• EOC Non-Emergency Public Line 843-663-8778 • SC Department of Transportation 888-877-9151
• American Red Cross 843-477-0020
• SC Department of Insurance 803-737-6160
• SC CareLine
1-855-472-3432
• SC Salvation Army 704-522-4970
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TERMS TO KNOW Watch: Advisory issued by the National Weather Service that a tropical system could pose a threat to our area within 36 hours. Warning: Advisory issued by the National Weather Service that a tropical system will pose a threat to our area within 24 hours or less.
Cake Watch
Cake Warning
Tropical Depression: An organized storm with a circular pattern with maximum sustained winds of 38 mph or less. Tropical Storm: An organized storm with a circular pattern with sustained winds between 39-73 mph. Hurricane: An organized storm with a circular pattern with sustained winds of 74 mph or greater. Threat: Expectation that a tropical storm/hurricane watch will be soon announced for our area. Identifies moving into Response Actions to prepare for any further needed actions. Hurricane Eye: Relatively calm area in the center of the storm. In this area, conditions greatly improve and clear skies may be present before they quickly deteriorate once the eye passes over the area. Hurricane Eyewall: Dense wall of intense thunderstorms and strong winds that surround the eye of the storm. Typically the most damaging and destructive winds the storm produces. OPCON: Operating Conditions Level. Established by the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. The City of North Myrtle Beach OPCON level almost always reflects that of Horry County Emergency Management. There are three (3) Levels: • OPCON 3:Normal Daily Operations • OPCON 2:Increased Readiness • OPCON 1:Full Alert Mode
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