North Myrtle Beach opens EOC, closes facilities

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH – The City of North Myrtle Beach emergency operations center (EOC) will open today at noon and remain open until further notice.

Due to the current storm track and expected arrival of Tropical Storm Hanna, all City administrative offices, including City Hall and the Aquatic & Fitness Center, will close at 2 p.m. this afternoon. Building Department offices at City Hall will be open at 9 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 6, for issuance of emergency repair permits only.

The latest storm track information indicates that Tropical Storm Hanna will come very close to the North Myrtle Beach area before moving northward into North Carolina. Residents in North Myrtle Beach should expect heavy rain and strong winds from the storm from late Friday into early morning hours Saturday. Once winds reach 25 mph, the Barefoot Bridge will lock in place for road traffic only and will not open for Intracoastal Waterway boat traffic. Crews will be ready to open the Barefoot Bridge to boat traffic beginning at 6 a.m. if weather permits.

Storm surge projections indicate low-lying areas along Ocean Boulevard may be affected. Residents are advised to move extra vehicles to higher ground. Areas expected to be affected most include Cherry Grove from the ocean to the marsh area, Ocean Boulevard to Hillside Drive from 6th to 8th Avenues South and Windy Hill near the marsh area.

Residents who have decided not to evacuate should bring loose objects such as lawn furniture, bicycles and plants indoors. The City would like to remind residents that trash pick up continues on its normal schedule today, but residents should bring their roll carts indoors before the storm reaches North Myrtle Beach.

Residents and visitors also should avoid driving Saturday morning until City workers and Public Safety personnel have surveyed damage.

Public Works Department teams will begin work at 6 a.m. tomorrow to clear roadways of debris if needed. Debris pick up for residents will take place either Saturday or Monday, depending on the volume of debris.

The City will be continuing to update residents on storm projections and, if needed, road closures. Updates for the City of North Myrtle Beach can be found on http://www.NMB.us