Hurricane prep for Myrtle Beach & the Grand Strand
Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30 (30 days left). Since 1851, 30 hurricanes have passed within 60 miles of Myrtle Beach, 5 of them major (Category 3 or stronger), according to NOAA's HURDAT2 database through 2025. The last major one was Hurricane Fran (Sept. 5, 1996, Category 3).
No active tropical storms in the Atlantic right now.
Know your zone and get alerts, by county
Evacuation orders go out by zone. Look up your address once, write your zone down, and sign up for your county's alerts so the order reaches your phone.
Horry County
Georgetown County
Brunswick County, N.C.
Your hurricane checklist
Before a storm
When a storm is coming
After the storm
Every storm near Myrtle Beach since 1851
71 tropical storms and hurricanes passed within 60 miles of Myrtle Beach from 1851 through 2025. Near Myrtle Beach, most storms since 1851 came in September (25 of 71).
Tropical stormHurricane, Cat. 1–2Major, Cat. 3+
By decade
By month
The strongest storms
| Storm | Date near Myrtle Beach | Strength nearby | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helene | Sept. 27, 1958 | Cat. 4, 140 mph | 44 mi |
| Hazel | Oct. 15, 1954 | Cat. 4, 130 mph | 20 mi |
| Diana | Sept. 11, 1984 | Cat. 3, 130 mph | 40 mi |
| Unnamed storm | Oct. 13, 1893 | Cat. 3, 120 mph | 16 mi |
| Fran | Sept. 5, 1996 | Cat. 3, 115 mph | 51 mi |
| Unnamed storm | Oct. 31, 1899 | Cat. 2, 110 mph | 9 mi |
| Dorian | Sept. 5, 2019 | Cat. 2, 105 mph | 52 mi |
| Floyd | Sept. 16, 1999 | Cat. 2, 105 mph | 48 mi |
| Bertha | July 12, 1996 | Cat. 2, 105 mph | 46 mi |
| Donna | Sept. 12, 1960 | Cat. 2, 105 mph | 52 mi |
Storms by decade (table)
| Decade | Tropical storms | Hurricanes Cat. 1–2 | Major Cat. 3+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 1860s | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1870s | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1880s | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| 1890s | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 1900s | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1910s | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 1920s | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1930s | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1940s | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1950s | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 1960s | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 1970s | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 1990s | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2000s | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010s | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 2020s | 4 | 2 | 0 |
After the storm
Report damage and get aid
Power outages
Hire a licensed contractor
Storms bring out unlicensed crews. Before you sign:
- South Carolina LLR residential builder lookup
- N.C. Licensing Board for General Contractors (Brunswick County)
- Get a written estimate, and never pay the full price up front.
Flood insurance takes 30 days
A new policy from the National Flood Insurance Program usually takes 30 days to go into effect, and most homeowners policies do not cover flooding. Buy it before a storm is in the forecast.
Local help before and after a storm
Licensed businesses that help you get ready for hurricane season and clean up after a storm: tree services, roofers, shutters, electricians, contractors and insurance agencies. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.
Hurricane prep Sponsored
Your business could be here
Season packages for the 2027 hurricane season open April 15. 3 spots at the top of this page for 3 months, marked Sponsored.
Ask about a spotA hurricane kit that works when the power is out
Items from the Ready.gov kit list that matter most when stores are closed and the power is out for days.
Power and light
Water and food
Papers and cleanup
Help your neighbors
- Report flooding or a road closed: we check it and share it as a reader report, separate from official updates. In an emergency, call 911.
- Send a photo from your area after a storm: we credit you, and we never publish home addresses.
- See a broken or outdated link? Tell us and we will fix it on this page.
- Get our storm and weather alerts by email, free.
Questions people ask
When is hurricane season on the Grand Strand?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Near Myrtle Beach, most storms since 1851 came in September (25 of 71).
How many hurricanes have hit Myrtle Beach?
Since 1851, 30 hurricanes have passed within 60 miles of Myrtle Beach, and 5 of them were major (Category 3 or stronger), according to NOAA's HURDAT2 database through 2025. Counting tropical storms, 71 storms came that close.
When was the last major hurricane near Myrtle Beach?
In NOAA's records through 2025, the last major hurricane within 60 miles of Myrtle Beach was Hurricane Fran in 1996, a Category 3 near Myrtle Beach.
How do I find my evacuation zone?
Look up your address with South Carolina Emergency Management Division: Know Your Zone (scemd.org/stay-informed/know-your-zone). Zones are set by each county, and officials order evacuations by zone.
How long does flood insurance take to start?
A new flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program usually takes 30 days to go into effect, so buy it before a storm is on the way. Most homeowners policies do not cover flooding.
How do I check a contractor's license after a storm?
Search the South Carolina LLR residential builder lookup before you sign anything. Get a written estimate, and do not pay the full price up front.