Ocean Lakes

Gov. Henry McMaster said Thursday that he likely will issue an evacuation order for coastal South Carolina including the Myrtle Beach area starting Saturday morning as the powerful Hurricane Irma continues heading toward the state. During a news conference Thursday afternoon, McMaster and other state officials urged residents and vacationers to make plans and be prepared for Hurricane Irma, which is expected to bring rain, wind and potential storm surge to coastal South Carolina on Monday and Tuesday. The intensity of the storm’s effects here still is uncertain because it depends on the path the storm ends up taking. McMaster said he is 99 percent sure that he will issue the evacuation order to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and has another news conference planned for Friday, when he will give the latest on the evacuation plan. “As soon as he does [issue the evacuation order], we will get the word out to everybody,” said Lance Thompson, General Manager and Vice President o...

Ocean Lakes Family Campground will reopen as soon as possible after Hurricane Matthew passes the coast and officials determine the park is safe. It's impossible to know exactly when the campground will reopen because it depends on several factors, including the amount of damage in the park and whether utilities such as power and water in the area are up and running. Horry County Police check the campground  Thursday. Hurricane Matthew is expected to bring more than 10 inches of rain, storm surge of 3 to 6 feet above ground and high winds that could damage structures and down trees, especially in areas where the ground already is saturated, forecasters said Thursday. Extreme flooding is likely. Rain will begin Friday, with the worst of the storm expected to affect the area Saturday and Saturday night. Gov. Nikki Haley ordered evacuations in Horry and Georgetown counties of properties east of U.S. 17 Business-Kings Highway (known as Zone A), which includes Ocean Lakes....

Ocean Lakes Family Campground will close at 2 p.m. Thursday as the governor-ordered evacuation of the oceanfront in Horry County kicks into gear with Hurricane Matthew approaching the S.C. coast. Ocean Lakes will stay closed Friday and Saturday, when the worst of Hurricane Matthew is expected to affect the Myrtle Beach area. The governor-ordered evacuation of properties east of U.S. 17 Business-Kings Highway, known as Zone A, will start at noon Thursday, Gov. Nikki Haley said during a news conference Thursday morning. About 200,000 residents in Horry and Georgetown counties are expected to evacuate. Haley urged residents not to wait any longer and leave. “We want everybody to take this seriously,” Haley said. No lane reversals are planned in Horry County, though officials said they are ready to shift U.S. 501 if needed. About 300 National Guard are in Horry County ready to help with the evacuation and with other needs, said Randy Webster, Horry County's Emergency...

UPDATE | Evacuations in Horry and Georgetown counties have been delayed until Thursday morning because Hurricane Matthew's projected path has shifted east. Gov. Nikki Haley announced the delays Wednesday morning. Ocean Lakes continues to evacuate. Get the latest here: bit.ly/2dSmqzQ Original post: Gov. Nikki Haley has planned an evacuation of coastal areas (Zone A: east of U.S. 17 Business/ Kings Highway) including Ocean Lakes Family Campground as a powerful Hurricane Matthew continues to track toward the S.C. coast. Evacuations are scheduled to start about 3 p.m. Wednesday, but guests can start leaving as soon as possible. Local schools and government offices will be closed Wednesday. “We are expecting everybody to have to leave the campground,” said Lance Thompson, Ocean Lakes' General Manager and Vice President. Hurricane Matthew is projected to hug the S.C. coast, bringing 5- to 7-foot storm surges and 40 mph winds. The storm is expected to hit the area as...