Tropical Storm Colin forms near Myrtle Beach. Here’s the latest on its path, potential effects

The National Weather Service canceled the tropical storm warning for Horry and Georgetown counties in South Carolina at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The warning for Brunswick County in North Carolina was canceled just after 4:30 p.m.

Late Saturday morning, the weather service said Tropical Storm Colin, which formed off the coast of South Carolina near Myrtle Beach, was already beginning to push off of the South Carolina coast and out to sea, much quicker than initially anticipated.

At a Walmart in Myrtle Beach’s Market Common neighborhood, more shoppers than usual filled the store around lunchtime Saturday, but most of them were buying party supplies for the Fourth of July. Few seemed to be prepping for bad weather.

However, a light shower did interrupt a local farmers market down the street at Valor Park. Prior to the shower, vendors told The Sun News they didn’t have any plans to pack up early.

Tropical Storm Colin formed near Myrtle Beach early Saturday morning, becoming the first storm of the 2022 hurricane season to appear near the Carolinas.

The storm formed just south of Georgetown and was expected to “move northeast along or just inland of the coast today before exiting the area early tonight,” the National Weather Service said in a storm briefing Saturday morning.

The storm appeared quickly and startled forecasters, who had little warning of its arrival. The first warning the National Hurricane Center had of any kind was that a “Low pressure (system) has formed near Savannah, Georgia. Although significant development of this system is not likely, heavy rains are expected across southeastern Georgia and portions of the Carolinas.”

The hurricane center said early Saturday morning that the storm had formed “rather unexpectedly.” Ahead of the storm, parts of Myrtle Beach were still sunny, as of 11 a.m. Saturday.

The biggest expected impact from the storm likely will be flooding from rainfall in isolated spots along the coastline from Georgetown up to southeastern North Carolina. Forecasters expect the region to see rain totals of between 0.5 and 1.5 inches through Sunday morning from the storm. The most rain will fall near the coastline.

Colin is also likely to bring tropical storm-force winds of 60 mph and create hazardous marine conditions, including rip currents, that could endanger swimmers and boats.

“Elevated risk for strong rip currents, especially for Brunswick County beaches and north of Myrtle Beach, will pose a threat to anyone who enters the surf,” National Weather Service’s Wilmington office said.

There is currently little to no chance of Colin causing storm surges or tornadoes, forecasters say.

“Tropical Storm Colin has formed and is expected to bring some heavy rain, some gusty winds and a threat of rip currents to our area. This will mainly affect our coastal areas and impacts are not expected to be significant,” the Horry County Emergency Management tweeted Saturday morning.

The highest wind gusts are expected near the coast and just off the beach.

“Peak gusts across coastal northeast South Carolina this morning, expanding into coastal southeast North Carolina this afternoon,” the National Weather Service’s Wilmington office said.

Despite Colin’s minimal impacts, the National Weather Service said it’s important for people to stay vigilant. Just because this storm wasn’t dangerous, doesn’t mean the next one won’t be.

Some Fourth of July festivities planned for Saturday were put on ice in advance of the storm’s arrival. Just north of the Grand Strand, organizers canceled the NC 4th of July Festival in Southport. The festival was moved to Sunday, July 3.

“We regret to inform the public that the NC 4th of July Festival events for July 2nd have been cancelled, following the guidance of local authorities,” festival spokesperson Trisha Howarth said in a statement. “Conditions are favorable for tropical storm conditions. The safety of Festival goers, vendors, volunteers, emergency workers and everyone is our highest priority.”