If you’ve watched the news recently, you probably know about the state of South Carolina receiving record rainfall and destructive flooding earlier this month. Fortunately for the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach and Ocean Bay Resort were spared by the storm compared to other parts of the state, and the Sun Fun City is back to doing what it does best – making vacation memories for millions of visitors.
Not even a 1,000-year flood could put a damper on the fun this fall in Myrtle Beach. Only days after parts of the Palmetto State experienced 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 if you are ready for an autumn escape to the beach and in need of a little rest and relaxation, come visit us in Myrtle Beach at the Ocean Reef Resort. The flood is over and the coast is clear.
(Posted: 10/19/15)
