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 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...