If you are planning a trip to Myrtle Beach for an autumn retreat to the beach at Compass Cove Resort, don’t cancel your plans. And if you aren’t, you should consider taking advantage of the mild temperatures and small crowds on the Grand Strand in the fall.
Contrary to some media reports and rumors, the flooding that devastated much of South Carolina did not have negative impacts on the Myrtle Beach oceanfront. The record rainfall and major flooding in the Palmetto State did not wash out the Grand Strand’s tourism parade. Only a matter of days after parts of the state received as much as 2 feet of rain in the first week of October, Myrtle Beach was back open for business.
“We are fortunate our beaches are up and running and ready for visitors,” Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Brad Dean said just days after the storm stopped and the floodwaters subsided. “Anyone who has visited the Myrtle Beach area knows our fall weather is typically gorgeous and sunny. We look forward to welcoming folks back to the beach.”
While lower-lying areas around the North Carolina state line and Georgetown, about 30 miles north and south of Myrtle Beach, respectively, did see higher amounts of rainfall and some flooding due to overflowing rivers, the central Grand Strand experienced 8 to 10 inches of rain that managed to pull the plug on outdoor events scheduled for the Oct. 3-4 weekend.
But by Tuesday, Oct. 7, the sun reappeared and quickly dried up much of the remaining water. Golf courses and watersports outfitters were back in full swing, along with all the indoor venues that escaped damage. The bigger issue for visitors were some road closure en route to the Grand Strand, but all major thoroughfares are now open – all lanes and in both directions.
The Grand Strand still has an impressive lineup of fall festivals and activities to enjoy, like the Oct. 24 Murrells Inlet Oyster Festival, and the Oct. 31 Halloween Bash at Broadway at the Beach’s Celebrity Square. The holiday shows hit the stage at local theaters like The Carolina Opry and Alabama Theatre in November, along with special dining and shopping events for Thanksgiving/Black Friday weekend.
Get into the Christmas spirit at “Nights of a Thousand Candles” at Brookgreen Gardens, catch a floating Christmas parade on the Intracoastal Waterway, and take in the best high school basketball tournament in the nation at the Beach Ball Classic. And, of course, Myrtle Beach has excellent attractions, dining, shopping and nightlife year-round.
So set sail for Compass Cove Resort. See for yourself that the coast is clear in Myrtle Beach.
(Posted: 10/19/15)
