Against All Odds: Homeowners Begin Rebuilding After Hurricane Ian
Hurricane Ian slammed into Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand area on September 30th, 2022, leaving a path of devastation behind. Ian made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in Georgetown, South Carolina, immediately downgrading to a powerful tropical storm after it made landfall.
Many businesses and homes in the Myrtle Beach area are damaged or destroyed, with many displaced families. The 10ft storm surge caused significant flooding, power outages, hundreds of trees, and several roads closed. Wind gusting speeds of up to 85-90 miles an hour wreaked havoc.
Crews have been working hard to clean up road sand and debris. Only public safety and work crews can access the roads to continue cleaning up the damage. For safety reasons, they do not want residents or the public on those roads until they are safe.
Horry County Police Department asks that you keep an eye out as you drive or walk down the road or beach. Avoid stepping or driving over any objects the tide may wash in. According to Myrtle Beach officials, no one has died in the storm so far due to Ian at this time. That is a relief.
Things can and will be replaced and fixed but lost loved ones can not. The residents of the Grand Strand area are grateful.
Hurricane Ian Battered and Destroyed 5 Piers Along the Myrtle Beach Area
Hurricane Ian battered, destroyed, or damaged five piers over a 50-mile stretch from the Cherry Grove Pier in North Myrtle Beach. It lost its middle section amidst crashing waves to the Pawleys Island Pier, part of which swept away from hurricane Ian.
Here is a complete list of Ian destroying our local piers:
1.) Apache Pier
2.) 2nd Avenue Pier in Myrtle Beach
3.) Sea Cabin Pier
4.) Cherry Grove Pier
5.) Pawley’s Island Pier
Cherry Grove Pier officials said,
“Making repairs this morning and cleaning up after the storm. We will rebuild better than before.”
A Helping Hand: Government and Volunteers Assist Homeowners in Cleaning Up After Hurricane Ian
As the clean-up process begins, the government and the community are pulling together to fix, clean, and open back up for business.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster was in the Grand Strand with other officials as soon as it was safe after Hurricane Ian moved on.
“It was really a remarkable team effort, and I continue to think we have the best team in the country when it comes to things like this – as well as the best law enforcement,” said McMaster. “This is a good day. We know some people lost some things and some property was damaged. We know some schedules were upended. But at the end of the day, South Carolina stood strong, and we’re open for business” – (wmbf.com)
The officials on the scene also included
- South Carolina Secretary of Transportation – Christy Hall
- SCDOT crews were out-cutting trees that fell onto roads along with moving sand and debris in places such as Georgetown, Garden City, and Pawleys Island.
(SCODT crews cleared 1,100 trees across the state since Friday, with more being dealt with today that is still tangled in power lines.)
- Myrtle Beach Mayor – Brenda Bethune
- Georgetown Mayor – Carol Jayroe
- Georgetown County Sheriff – Carter Weaver
- Pawleys Island Mayor – Brian Henry
- Surfside Beach Mayor – Bob Hellyer
- Conway Mayor – Barbara Blain-Bellamy
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- State Reps. Carl Anderson, Russell Fry, Lew Hewitt, and Case Brittian
The residents are happy with the quick response and help from state officials. Still, the neighbors, friends, and helpful strangers are making a difference.
Many neighborhoods are filled with local volunteers coming together to help everyone recover from the ruins hurricane Ian left behind.
What Myrtle Beach Homeowners Should Do After Hurricane Damage
Once everyone is safe, it is time for you as a homeowner to know what you should do after hurricane damage.
You need to assess the damage to the home and property. If possible, take pictures or videos of the damage for insurance purposes.
They should also contact their homeowner insurance company to start the claims process. It is also good to reach out to an insurance lawyer to ensure your insurance company pays you everything you’re entitled to.
Once that’s underway, you can carefully begin cleaning up any debris and making repairs as needed as long as it is safe.
Sometimes, homeowners may need to hire a professional to help with repairs or rebuilding. It’s essential to take care of necessary repairs as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
If you own a damaged home or business, you should stay safe while cleaning up and repairing your home. Often electrical wires can be exposed, and standing water can cause toxic mildew and mold. If you have allergies to this, it can make you very sick.
Here is what one resident said about the storm. “It was really unexpected we saw water up in people’s houses. It was just not expected, especially compared to some of the other storms we’ve been through here. This storm really seemed to be worse than all of those even though it wasn’t nearly as high category as those storms were,” said Vanscoyoc.
Myrtle Beach Realtor Offers Help in Time of Need
Tina Schildt of Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty in Myrtle Beach is grateful that she and her loved ones are safe with no damages. But Tina cares about her community. She is available to help homeowners in her backyard and the Grand Strand community who need guidance or assistance with any questions related to their homes.
Please share your story with us in the comments below.