Myrtle Beach, a coastal destination, experiences hurricanes. Understanding historical hurricane activity in this region is important, providing insight into the area’s vulnerability.
Overall Hurricane Activity in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach has a history of encountering tropical systems. Since 1871, approximately 84 tropical storms and hurricanes have come within 50 miles of the area, with 34 classified as hurricanes. While tropical storms or hurricanes pass within 50 miles roughly every two years, Myrtle Beach experiences a direct hurricane hit about once every 7.65 years. Major hurricanes, classified as Category 3 or higher, account for about 10.96% of all tropical systems affecting the area. The official Atlantic hurricane season spans from June 1 to November 30.
Defining a “Hurricane Hit” for Myrtle Beach
The definition of a “hurricane hit” can vary. A direct hit refers to the eye of a hurricane making landfall in a specific location, bringing hurricane-force winds. However, Myrtle Beach can experience significant impacts even from storms that pass offshore or make landfall hundreds of miles away. Effects such as strong winds, heavy rainfall, and dangerous storm surge can extend far from a storm’s center. This distinction helps explain why various sources might present different figures regarding the number of “hits” over time.
Notable Historical Hurricane Events
Myrtle Beach has been affected by several impactful hurricanes throughout its history. One of the most significant was Hurricane Hazel in 1954, which made landfall near the South Carolina-North Carolina border as a Category 4 storm. Hazel brought winds estimated between 130 to 150 mph along the coast and an extensive storm surge of 12 to 18 feet. This powerful storm destroyed approximately 80% of waterfront dwellings in Myrtle Beach.
Hurricane Hugo in 1989 also left a profound impact. While it made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane near Sullivan’s Island, south of Myrtle Beach, the storm’s extensive reach caused considerable damage to the Myrtle Beach area. Piers were destroyed, and protective sand dunes were washed away. Hugo generated storm tides as high as 20 feet in some coastal areas.
More recently, Hurricane Florence in 2018, though making landfall in North Carolina, brought significant inland flooding to Horry County, where Myrtle Beach is located. Its slow movement resulted in prolonged flooding across the region. Hurricane Ian in 2022 also affected the area, making landfall as a Category 1 storm near Georgetown, just south of Myrtle Beach. Ian caused notable storm surge, flooding, and damage to piers along the Grand Strand.
Geographic and Seasonal Influences on Storm Activity
Myrtle Beach’s location on the Atlantic coast places it directly within the hurricane belt, making it susceptible to tropical cyclone activity. South Carolina is recognized as one of the states most vulnerable to these storms. The formation and strengthening of hurricanes are driven by specific environmental conditions. They require warm ocean water, moist air, and low atmospheric pressure. The Atlantic basin frequently provides these conditions.
Tropical systems often originate as disturbances off the west coast of Africa, then travel westward across the Atlantic, gaining strength over warm ocean waters. The Earth’s rotation, known as the Coriolis effect, imparts a spinning motion to these storms. The hurricane season’s peak from late August through October aligns with the period when Atlantic ocean temperatures are at their warmest, providing fuel for storm development and intensification. Hurricanes weaken as they move over cooler waters or make landfall, losing their primary energy source.