Florence is a tropical storm as of 5:00 p.m., Friday

Tropical Storm Florence is still bringing wind and rain to the Grand Strand, but she's no longer a hurricane! The City of Myrtle Beach continues to monitor the slow moving (almost stationary) storm. Estimates are that rough weather will continue until 3:00 a.m., or so. The city then hopes to get its crews out early Saturday morning to assess the damage and begin making repairs. We have many reports of trees down and power outages, but no significant property damage so far.

HOWEVER, please remember that it will take time to make the area safe. The evacuation isn't over as soon as the sun comes out. The city will need a day or so to assess the situation and get the cleanup started. One of the unanswered questions is, "How much rain will we receive?" Plus, the rain that fell on North Carolina will flow through the rivers into South Carolina over the next week or two. Inland flooding from all of that rain is possible. Again, thanks to all for your safety measure to this point. Please continue being safe for the next few days until Florence is just a memory.

Our hearts go out to our neighbors in North Carolina who received the biggest wallop from Florence.