HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)- Thursday afternoon, Horry County moved to an Operation Condition Level 4 in preparation of potential flooding due to the combination effects of Hurricane Joaquin and from a low pressure system in the Gulf.
Officials say the current forecast indicates that Horry County could receive up to 10 inches of rain beginning this afternoon through Sunday.
Due to that chance of heavy rain, county leaders had crews out cleaning storm water drains of debris in low-lying neighborhoods.
“Knowing in advance that we’re going to see quite a bit of rain we need to make sure that the ditches are cut, that if there’s any type of debris in there that could clog the system. We want to make sure that it can hold as much water as possible,” Spokesperson Lisa Bourcier said.
SC-DOT crews also took preventive measures in anticipation of flooding. DOT leaders say their biggest concern is for secondary roads and areas prone to flooding.
That’s especially a concern following the King Tides and roads being saturated from rain.
“Basically when we know anything is coming we try to look at any locations we know may have some high shoulders and try to cut some trenches or holes in them so that if it does rain and a lot of water comes, at least the water can get off the roadway and not have standing water,” Resident Maintenance Shannon Welch said.
Both agencies will have crews on call this weekend in case any major problems come up.
Horry County will also have a Road and Drainage Hotline available that you can reach at 843-248-1520.
