North Myrtle Beach, SC – The South Carolina Office of Resilience is glad to announce construction started on a stormwater infrastructure project in North Myrtle Beach, SC on December 2nd, 2024. Located just south of Cherry Grove Beach, the project is designed to facilitate drainage of stormwater into the Atlantic Ocean. $7.6 million of the project’s total $7.8 million award amount is provided through the Office’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stormwater Infrastructure Program—the City of North Myrtle Beach contributed an additional $230,000 as part of a local cost share. Construction is expected to be complete within 8-10 months.

Currently, the area between 16th Ave N. and 18th Ave N. experiences flooding during 100-year storm events. Despite the area being bordered on two sides by retention ponds that can store excess stormwater, the community identified a need for an overflow system to catch water once the ponds are full. Once completed, the new drainage system will connect the ponds to the City’s recently completed  dual 54-inch Deepwater Ocean Outfall at 18th Avenue North, which releases water into the Atlantic Ocean.

The City has found numerous benefits in connecting inland areas to deepwater ocean outfalls in previous projects. Since 2002, North Myrtle Beach has installed six of these outfalls. According to the City’s project application, besides being the most cost-effective option, “stormwater discharge into deeper water (approximately 1,200 feet offshore) reduces near shore bacteria levels and, therefore, reduces the potential for swimmer contact and illness.” This solution does not increase the total stormwater reaching the ocean, but simply extends the point of entry further from the coastline.

Upon completion, the drainage project is expected to significantly decrease flood risks in the area. According to the City of North Myrtle Beach, “the existing system is based on a 2-year to 10-year rainfall event. The new system is designed for 25-year to 100-year…events.” This reduces multiple safety hazards flooding poses.

The project benefits many homes and businesses in a large service area outside of the immediate project area. Each retention pond retains stormwater from a different watershed area defined by the City. As seen in the project proposal, these watersheds expand far from 18th Avenue. Project plans indicate that approximately 230 structures in the service area are currently prone to flooding. Additionally, flooding along North Ocean Blvd. results in emergency responders needing to detour approximately 4 miles for extended periods of time.

This project is a continuation of North Myrtle Beach’s initiative to responsibly manage stormwater. As SC Representative William Bailey (District 104) explains, “Over the years, both the state of South Carolina and the City of North Myrtle Beach have recognized the significance of effective stormwater management in our coastal region.” Representative Bailey also emphasizes the cooperative approach needed for such projects. “As the representative for District 104, I am proud to have collaborated with the Office of Resilience and the City of North Myrtle Beach on this vital infrastructure initiative.”

About SCOR: The South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) is committed to enhancing the state's ability to anticipate, absorb, recover, and thrive when presented with environmental changes and natural hazards by planning and coordinating statewide resilience, long-term disaster recovery, and hazard mitigation. In addition to serving 3,459 homes in our Disaster Recovery Program, SCOR has 81 active flood mitigation projects, including voluntary buyouts, stormwater infrastructure, and plans and studies, across the State. SCOR continues to implement and maintain the Strategic Statewide Resilience and Risk Reduction Plan, which provides a framework to guide investment in projects, programs, and policies to protect the people and property of South Carolina from the damage and destruction of extreme weather events.