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Hurricane Preparedness in Horry County, SC (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Horry County, South Carolina.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Horry County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Flood Elevation

In Horry County's mapped special flood hazard zones, new residential construction and substantial improvements must have the lowest floor at least two feet above the base flood elevation, with basements barred outright. Non-residential buildings face the same elevation floor unless floodproofed and engineer-certified.

Horry County: 2 Feet of Freeboard, No Basements

Heavy Restrictions

Horry County Code § 9-52(1)

In all areas of special flood hazard (zones A, AE, AH, AO, and A1-30) or supplemental flood zones where base flood elevation data has been provided, as set forth in section 9-5 or outlined in the duties and responsibilities of the local floodplain administrator, section 9-34, the following provisions are required: (1)Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any ...

Storm Debris

When Horry County declares a public health emergency, such as widespread vegetative debris left by a hurricane, county officials can enter private and public property immediately and take whatever corrective action is necessary to protect life and property, without waiting through the notice periods that apply to routine nuisance complaints.

Storm Debris and Emergency Cleanup in Horry County

Significant Restrictions

Horry County Code § 10-19(e)

Public health emergency. In the event of a declared public health emergency, such as that to address widespread vegetative debris fields on public and private rights-of-way occasioned by the effects of a hurricane, in addition to all other powers authorized herein, county officials are authorized, in accordance with the county's police powers, to enter upon property and immediately take correct...

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