Horry County, North Myrtle Beach declare states of emergency ahead of Hurricane Ian

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) - Multiple governments within the Grand Strand are declaring states of emergency ahead of potential impacts from Hurricane Ian.

Horry County announced Wednesday that its state of emergency is set to go into effect at 9 a.m. Thursday. It will remain in effect for 60 days unless ended sooner.

The county also said it will move to OPCON 2 operations when the state of emergency is enacted, meaning it will work “in a heightened state of awareness with emergency plans beginning to be implemented.”

The City of North Myrtle Beach also voted to enact its own state of emergency during an emergency city council meeting Wednesday. That order is currently in effect.

County officials said discussions are already underway with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, coastal communities including local municipalities as they continue to monitor the situation closely.

Stay with WMBF News for updates.