Tropical Storm Debby is expected to bring heavy rainfall and life-threatening flooding across the Grand Strand this week.
Debby moved across northern Florida Monday and into the Georgia/South Carolina and North Carolina coasts Tuesday, bringing with it rain, wind gusts and possible storm surge, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, North Carolina.
The Myrtle Beach area is under a tornado watch until 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to the NWS.
The storm is expected to move slowly, resulting in “catastrophic” amounts of rainfall. The Grand Strand area could see between 10 to 20 inches of rain, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.
Still some uncertainty regarding the track/strength of #Debby but our greatest confidence is regarding the significant rainfall threat which could lead to extreme impacts across SE NC/NE SC. Prepare NOW for freshwater flooding! https://t.co/f3461pjdIe #ncwx #scwx pic.twitter.com/MPMwU27yI3
— NWS Wilmington, NC (@NWSWilmingtonNC) August 5, 2024
That could mean some in Horry County will postpone plans or cancel events in preparation for the severe weather this week.
If you have a cancellation or closing, email online@thesunnews.com.
Check back here for updates.
Health offices closed; hospitals to stay open (Updated at 7:48 p.m.)
Grand Strand Health announced that it will close some physician practices and outpatient facilities in preparation for Tropical Storm Debby.
The locations will be closed Wednesday, Aug. 7, and reopen on Friday, Aug. 9, according to an email
Grand Strand Medical Center, South Strand Medical Center, North Strand ER and Carolina Forest ER will remain open through the duration of the storm.
Locations that are closed are:
CareNow Urgent Care Facilities
Cardiac Rehab Services at Grand Strand Medical Center
Carolina Forest Imaging Center
Grand Strand Health Physician Practices
Grand Strand Bariatric Surgery
Grand Strand Cosmetic & Reconstructive Care
Grand Strand Facial & Jaw Surgery
Grand Strand Heart & Vascular Care
Grand Strand Infectious Disease
Grand Strand Orthopedic Care
Grand Strand Primary Care
Grand Strand Spine & Neuro Care
Grand Strand Surgical Care
Outpatient Lab Services at Grand Strand Health’s Medical Office Building
South Strand Medical Center’s Outpatient Imaging and Lab Services
The Advanced Wound Center
The Breast Center – closing at 1 p.m. on Aug. 7.
Storm cancels court in Horry County (Updated at 4:27 p.m.)
Horry County court proceedings are canceled for Wednesday and Thursday because of Tropical Storm Debby, according to the Horry County Sheriff’s Department.
Lowes Foods stores closing early (Updated 4:02 p.m.)
Several Lowes Foods stores across the Grand Strand are closing early Tuesday because of the pending storm.
The Pawleys Island store will close at 6 p.m. and the Little River store will close at 9 p.m., according to a company Facebook post.
Brookgreen Gardens to close gardens (Updated 3:22 p.m.)
Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet announced via email that it will close the gardens Aug. 6 and 7. The gardens may be closed longer.
Walmarts across the Grand Strand to close early (Updated 3:16 p.m.)
Walmarts located in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, the Garden City area and Murrells Inlet will close early on Aug. 6.
The Walmarts and Walmart Neighborhood Markets at Seaboard Street, Kings Road, Walton Drive, South Kings Highway, Murrells Inlet, North Myrtle Beach, Georgetown and Garden City will close at 5 p.m. The Walmart Neighborhood Market on North Kings Highway will close at 4 p.m.
Walmart announced these closures on Facebook.
Surfside Beach offices, pier to close (Updated 2:09 p.m.)
Surfside Beach announced that its town offices will close at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, and remain closed through Thursday, Aug. 8.
Normal office hours will resume on Friday.
The Surfside Beach Fishing Pier will close at 5 p.m. Tuesday, and the beach has a double red flag, which means swimming is not allowed.
Fireworks canceled (Updated 1:26 p.m.)
Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach announced that Tuesday’s fireworks have been canceled.
Operational hours for Broadway at the Beach merchants are at their discretion and may vary over the next few days, according to a Facebook post. Visitors should contact the merchants directly for business hours.
SCDNR closes parks, preserves (Updated 12:22 p.m.)
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has closed several properties to vehicle traffic until further notice due to expected impacts from the tropical storm.
Properties closed include Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve in Horry County. For other properties, go to the SCDNR website that has the closings listed.
Horry County Schools goes remote (Updated 9:07 a.m.)
Horry County Schools will operate remotely Wednesday and Thursday due to the impact of the storm, according to a press release.
All athletics and extracurricular activities are canceled for Wednesday, August 7, and Thursday, August 8.
HGTC campuses close (Updated 9:04 a.m.)
Horry-Georgetown Technical College campuses will close at noon Tuesday and in-person classes scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday through Friday have been canceled, according to a press release.
The decision was made as a precautionary measure for the safety of students and staff in preparation for the heavy rains and flooding. The college will resume normal operations on Monday, August 12, unless otherwise notified, the release said.
Students will not report to clinicals, internships, or any other in-person instructional activities, including federal work-study positions, during this time.
Garden event canceled (Updated 6:25 p.m.)
Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet has canceled its Summer Light: Art by Night for Aug. 7 because of the weather.
In addition, the gardens has canceled its excursions from Monday through Friday, according to its website.
State parks closed because of Debby (Updated 3:49 p.m.)
Myrtle Beach State Park and Huntington Beach State Park will be closed Tuesday in preparation for the arrival of Tropical Storm Debby, according to the South Carolina State Parks’ Facebook post.
The two state parks are among seven coastal parks that will be closed, the post said.
Road project meeting canceled (Updated 3:33 p.m.)
The Scouth Carolina Department of Transportation has canceled its public information meeting Thursday regarding two safety improvement projects in Horry County.
The meeting will be rescheduled, but there is no set date, according to release from the SCDOT.
The comment period for the proposed projects on S-1315 (Robert M. Grissom Parkway) and SC 707 (Socastee Boulevard) is currently open. To comment or find additional information on these projects, go to https://scdotgis.online/S-1315-and-SC-707-Safety.
Farmers Market postponed (Updated 2:22 p.m.)
The Surfside Beach Farmers Market set for Tuesday has been canceled because of the pending storm, the city posted on its Facebook page.
The Waccamaw Market Cooperative announced the market’s closing.
Surfside Beach hula show canceled (Updated 2:03 p.m.)
Surfside Beach announced that the free Surfside Pier Hula and Fire Show scheduled for Monday night has been canceled because of the inclement weather.
The last show of the season will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 12.
Georgetown County schools go to e-learning (Updated 1:55 p.m.)
Georgetown County School District announced that its schools will go to e-learning on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
All schools and offices will be closed because of the storm, the district said. In addition, all after-school activities, programs and athletics are canceled.
Loris police event rescheduled (Updated 12:04 p.m.)
Loris Police Department announced on its Facebook page that its National Night Out Block Party that was set for Aug. 6, 2024, will be rescheduled to Aug. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. because of the storm.
The event in downtown Loris on Main Street will have games, free hot dogs and bounce houses.
National Night Out events canceled (Updated 9:32 a.m.)
North Myrtle Beach Police and Conway Police Department have canceled their National Night Out event that was set for Aug. 6.
North Myrtle Beach has rescheduled its event for October, according to a Facebook post. Conway Police will announced a new date.
