Outside of our plantation, conditions were much the same
across most of the Grand Strand With the exception of the barrier islands and
ocean-facing properties, there was very little structural damage, but there
were a lot of downed trees that played havoc with the roads. When the trees
toppled atop the power lines all along
Highway 17, it not only stopped power to
the nearby homes and stores, it eliminated every traffic light along the entire length of that primary coastal thorough
fare. Driving was so hazardous that many
schools remained closed even after the storm had passed because it was not safe for parents or school buses
to try to transport the kids on the highways.
Fortunately, along the Grand Strand there was not much water
on the roadways. The only flooding I found on Hywy 17 was near the entrance
to Huntington Beach State Park.
We had to slow down
to go through it, but the water was not deep enough to stall out in.
The ocean facing properties took a really heavy hit from Mathew. Even before the front half of the storm had passed, local news stations were reporting that the waves had breached the dunes in front of the big hotels in Myrtle Beach.
The ocean facing properties took a really heavy hit from Mathew. Even before the front half of the storm had passed, local news stations were reporting that the waves had breached the dunes in front of the big hotels in Myrtle Beach.
The ocean front beach is now missing from Pawleys Island.
But on the bright side,
we have a new beach on the marsh side of Spring Road.
Both Litchfield and Pawleys Island suffered heavy beach
erosion. They had just replenished the
sand on those beaches after last October's storm surge; now it is all gone
again.
Fortunately, beyond a house which caught fire and a wind-damaged roof, there does not appear to be much other structural damage.
Above is a link to an aerial view of the damage to Pawleys Island’s South
end (courtesy of Georgetown County). All that sand you see the National Guard crews moving used to be dunes in front of the houses; Now Spring Road, behind the houses, is a creek side beach.
Georgetown, is another story. This small river town is located 10 miles South of us on the Wynah Bay. Portions of the town were hit hard by the rain, with 5' of water in some areas, including Front Street. Quite a few homes, apartments, businesses, and automobiles took a hit. For awhile, Hwy 17 was closed on both sides of Georgetown, although it is open now. Georgetown schools have been closed this week, and will continue closed on Weds. I have not heard anything specifically about Maryville, so I can't comment. The Georgetown Times has been covering the situation down there well -www.southstrandnews.com/georgetown-times
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