‘Dangerously’ cold temperatures expected in Myrtle Beach area this weekend

A powerful cold front will bring plummeting temperatures, strong winds and bitter wind chills to the Myrtle Beach area this Christmas weekend.

Downed power lines and toppled trees reported throughout Myrtle Beach area

UPDATED at 1:04 p.m.

Since this morning, temperatures have dropped into the low 30s and 40s. There have been reports of toppled trees and downed power lines in Conway, WMBF news wrote.

As for road conditions, there “isn’t a major concern,” for ice freezing over roads currently, Horry County spokesperson Thomas Bell said.

This SC county has nearly 40% of bridges in poor or fair shape. Winter storm must knows.

At least three flights coming into the Myrtle Beach International airport have been canceled, according to the airport’s website. Several flights have been delayed going out of the airport, and flights to Chicago and Detroit have been canceled today.

Is winter weather impacting Myrtle Beach air travel? What to know and how to check

Thousands without power in Grand Strand, Pee Dee area

UPDATED at 11 a.m.

Around 2,400 Horry Electric customers near Highway 90 are without power due to the weather, according to the company’s outage map.

Duke Energy is also reporting thousands of customers without power, as of Friday morning.

Effects from the strong winds can already be spotted. WMBF chief meteorologist Jamie Arnold posted a picture online showing a stack of PODS blown over in Conway this morning.

However, that isn’t stopping some Myrtle Beach residents from getting their Christmas shopping done.

Shoppers were spotted braving the strong winds to go to the Myrtle Beach Tanger Outlets.

Strong wind gusts and cold overnight temperatures in Myrtle Beach expected

UPDATED at 9:30 a.m.

Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph are possible Friday, becoming 20 to 30 mph at night, according to the latest weather briefing from the National Weather Service. Wind chills of 5 to 10 degrees are expected from Friday night into Saturday.

Cold overnight temperatures will be in the teens in most areas in Northeast SC and Southeast NC from Friday night through Sunday night.

Arctic air will stay in place through the weekend, according to the briefing.

Cold temperatures will continue throughout the weekend, with highs in the lower 30s on Saturday and around 40 on Sunday.

“Be alert for lighter outdoor objects to blow around and possibly a few power outages,” the latest weather briefing states. “Also, protect the 4 Ps: people, pets, plants and pipes!”

Tips on how to prepare for severe weather in Myrtle Beach

Below is a list of do’s and don’ts’ from the Horry County Fire Rescue Department.

You should have:

• Tested and working smoke alarms in each sleeping area, hallway and living room area.

• Tested and working carbon monoxide alarms IF you use any kind of fuel-burning heating equipment. Carbon monoxide poisoning comes on without warning and can be deadly.

• Buy-in from everyone in your residence that they, too, know the emergency escape plan in the event a fire or other emergency occurs and they all need to get out efficiently and safely. This includes two exits from each room and a common meeting place. Make sure everyone knows what information (especially the address!) they may need to relay to Horry County 911 telecommunicators if they’re tasked with that job.

• Access to important safety information, keeping your eyes on local media forecasts and Horry County Emergency Management.

• Emergency supplies, especially blankets and layers of clothing handy, food and water in case your heat goes out.

• A metal mesh screen if you using a fireplace so embers don’t shoot out onto the rug and possibly start a fire. Remember to regularly have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional.

Horry County Fire Rescue recommends you DO NOT:

• Keep electric space heaters plugged in when you’re not home or going to bed.

• Plug electric space heaters into extension cords or multi-taps. They go directly into the wall. If the cord is damaged, do not use it.

• Allow space heaters or any other kind of heating equipment to get within three feet of anything that could catch fire, including blankets, clothing, furniture, curtains, a Christmas tree, decorations, packaging or wrapping paper, pets, children, etc.

• Heat your house with an oven or anything with an open flame.

• Use gasoline or diesel fuel in your kerosene heater. Only use 1K clear kerosene to refuel, and never refuel when it’s burning.

• Store any fuel inside your house.

• Use gas or charcoal grills inside your house or garage. Outside only.

• Use generators inside a house or garage. Outside only.

• Smoke inside, no matter how cold it is outside. Cigarette butts do not go in the garbage unless completely extinguished and dosed with water first.

For information on how to protect your plants, check out this previous The Sun News article.

Frosty conditions are expected in the Myrtle Beach area tomorrow. Save your plants

To get the latest information on road conditions, check the South Carolina Department of Transportation website.

To watch the severe weather unfold near the SC coastline, watch these web cams.

As severe weather approaches the SC coast, watch these web cams in the Myrtle Beach area.

‘Code Blue’ weekend for the New Directions shelter

It’s a “code blue” weekend for the New Directions shelter, according to the city of Myrtle Beach. This means that the shelter is welcoming anyone homeless to come indoors at both the men’s and women’s emergency shelters.

A code blue can be issued any time there are severe weather conditions, such as below-freezing temperatures, or during heat advisories.

• The men’s shelter is located at 1005 Osceola St.

• The women’s shelter is located at 803 3rd Avenue North.