South Carolina Emergency Management is a fantastic resource. They have an app you should have on your phone. The website goes over the language of hurricanes and tropical storms in a very easy to digest manner. Information is available outlining the evacuation process should things develop. The site also has information for evacuating pets and how to build your family  emergency kit with a downloadable checklist.

A visit to this site is a MUST for every responsible family living along the Grand Strand.
https://hurricane.sc/img/scemergchecklist.pdf

Hurricane Ian is about to batter the Florida Gulf Coast in the next week, and the potential for this storm after it makes landfall is still uncertain, but our area could see some heavy rain and wind on the back side from Ian. With that in mind I thought it would be appropriate to show you the South Carolina Emergency Management Evacuation map. Look at the map and decipher where you are in relation to the zone.

This is a great website to learn all you can about hurricane and tropical storm preparedness: hurricane.sc/know

​Hurricane Season Preparedness:
1. KNOW YOUR EVACUATION ZONES AND ROUTES.
2. GATHER YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES NOW. DO NOT WAIT FOR A STORM TO BE ON THE WAY.

• You'll need enough non-perishable food items and water for everyone in your household for at least 3 days (and quite possibly a lot longer) in the event of major damage from a hurricane. 
• Plan for at least 1 gallon of drinking water per person PER DAY. If you have 4 people, that translates to 16 bottles of water per day that you'll need.
• Have a plan to get your prescription medicines well before any storm comes near.
• Have a first aid kit, flashlights, radios, and all of the batteries for those items. These items become scarce along with bottled water once storms are announced.
• Having an alternate source of power for cell phones, tablets, and laptops would also be a good idea.

3. ALWAYS THINK SAFETY FIRST.  There are still over 2 months left in the Atlantic Hurricane Season.

​Sunday, September 18th, 2022 the 2nd Annual First Responder Appreciation Boat Parade will launch. 
The outing was founded and spearheaded by Brian Peters, a North MB resident and business executive who is passionate about recognizing the many contributions of our military.

"On 9/11 we promised ourselves we would never forget. This is the fulfillment of my promise."
He goes on to say, "This is our way of honoring the 1st responders and heroes on the 21st anniversary of 9-11, and the heroic 1st responders of today!"

I have a few friends that were on boats for the 2021 kick-off event and they said the passion was exhilarating.
Last year's parade was the inaugural launch. 1600 boats participated in the event. Thousands of residents and visitors showed up to watch the parade from various viewing stations along the 13-mile stretch of waterway..... This year patriotic boaters of the grand strand will have a chance to join in the parade starting at 12 noon 1 mile south of the 501-bridge at the Arrowhead Golf Course proceeding north to the Barefoot Landing resort where the parade will end.

There will be many great viewing spots....
Arrowhead golf course,  Boathouse Restaurant, Grand Dunes, Grand Dunes Marina, Anchor Cafe, the public access boat ramp behind Bass Pro Shop, Taco Mundo, Lulu's, Greg Norman's and the Marina Bar and Grill. Not to mention the various subdivisions along the waterway.

The parade ends in front of the flag at Barefoot Landing.
​Peters says this is not a political event, "It's all about patriotism, we are all Americans first!"

Decorate your boat as you wish but make sure the American Flag flies the highest!

"Let's show appreciation for today's 1st responders, and all who serve along with active-duty military, and veterans!"
​Photo Credit: Brian Peters

Photographer Jim Arnold has done such a splendid job of capturing the afternoon beauty of the Sea Oats in the sand dunes of North Litchfield Beach. This photo was taken by him on July 16, 2022. (To see more of his great work please visit "See Jim Run" Photography on Facebook)

Late summer is when this plant plant really holds court along the South Carolina coast. Many walk right buy the oats, but do not really know why they are so significant to the South Carolina coastal infrastructure. I thought I would fill you in a bit.

For much of the growing season the Sea Oat plant (Uniola paniculata) is a beautiful sea green in color. As summer begins to wind down into autumn, the seed heads begin to show their true splendor. The color turns from green to a deep golden brown. The monochromatic contrast against the sand is breathtaking if you happen to capture it on your camera. The oats are not only recognized for their late summer beauty, it is their very structure in the sand that makes conservationists dedicate hours to their preservation.

As a crucial component of the South Carolina hurricane defense strategy, the oats help deter damage from tropical storms. The plants are used in sand stabilization projects because their long root structure firmly holds loose sand. In fact, these oats play a critical role in hurricane damage mitigation throughout most of the southeastern united states, eastern Mexico and some Caribbean islands.

It is the large seed heads (oats) and tall leaves that trap windblown sand to help build and protect dunes. Sand dune growth and protection is another chapter I will write about at another time, but suffice it to say, Myrtle Beach takes its dunes pretty seriously. Don't be surprised if a local starts yelling at you if you are caught picking the oats. They are as precious as gold for the Hammock Coast landscape.

Picking or disturbing sea oats is punishable by fines in SC.


Note:
Sea Oats are protected by law in South Carolina.
To learn more click the link below.
SC Code § 16-11-590 (2013)