Dozens gather to discuss flooding issues, possible solutions in Horry County

CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - Dozens of people gathered Monday at Coastal Carolina University’s Johnson Auditorium to discuss flooding issues and possible solutions to those issues.

The panel discussion included professors from CCU, Horry County leaders and flood victims from different areas of the county such as Bucksport and Socastee.

Some of them talked about the heartache they experienced after flooding from Hurricane Florence.

“This was supposed to be my retirement home,” Eric Westover of Bucksport said. “And it’s gone now. And if we have one more flood, my house is gone.”

Some were frustrated.

“How many times are we going to go and do this?” Melissa Krupa of Socastee asked. “How many times are we going to rebuild? How many times are we putting our hard work and our hard money into this just to flood out again?”

The event was put on by a group called Horry County Rising, which is the same group behind a petition with more than 1,000 signatures, asking county leaders to stop developing homes until more is done to prevent future flooding.

Horry County council member Orton Bellamy shared his thoughts about the meeting afterward.

“It was a very informing meeting, and we really appreciate everyone’s input, and we’ll definitely implement those changes where we can and make changes to the policies and procedures,” Bellamy said.

As far as the petition to stop development, Bellamy said that’s probably not as realistic, but he said at least slowing development down is something to consider.

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