Tropical Storm Debby made landfall early Thursday, Aug. 8, just south of Georgetown, prompting a tropical storm warning and flood watch for the Myrtle Beach area. According to the National Hurricane Center, Debby is expected to weaken as it moves further inland, potentially becoming a depression later today. However, tropical storm conditions are anticipated throughout the day in the Myrtle Beach region.
Flooding remains a significant concern, particularly for parts of Horry County, including coastal and river areas. The National Weather Service in Wilmington has warned of dangerous driving conditions on Thursday. Heavy rainfall across the Carolinas is expected to continue, leading to considerable flooding, especially along the coast due to storm surge. The area could see an additional four to six inches of rain today.
The NWS Wilmington has also forecasted major flooding for the Little Pee Dee River at Galivants Ferry, moderate flooding for the Waccamaw River in Conway, and minor flooding in Longs. Horry County can expect gusty winds ranging from 45 to 55 mph.
Debby made landfall near Bulls Bay early Thursday morning, moving northwest at five mph with sustained winds up to 39 mph, as reported by the NHC.
Government and School Closures:
Most local government offices, facilities, and colleges are closed on Thursday. Here are some specific closures:
- Horry County Government: Offices and facilities are closed today. Normal operations will resume on Friday, Aug. 9.
- City of Conway: Offices and facilities are closed, and there will be no solid waste collection today.
- Coastal Carolina University: The university is closed today, with no announcement on when operations will resume.
- Horry-Georgetown Technical College: In-person classes have been canceled for the remainder of the week, with operations set to resume on Monday, Aug. 12.
Dennis Stemmle is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and lecturer at Coastal Carolina University. He writes about travel, college success, and entrepreneurship.