Hurricane Prep · Coastal SC · Horry County · By Ray Cloyd, Bakerss Property Maintenance · Updated June 2026 · 11 min read
Hurricane Prep for Myrtle Beach & Coastal SC Homes — 2026 Complete Checklist
Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. For Myrtle Beach and Horry County homeowners, that's six months of elevated risk from a coastline that has taken direct hits from Hugo, Floyd, Matthew, Dorian, and Ian in living memory. The difference between properties that come through storms intact and properties that don't isn't luck — it's preparation done before the storm, not during it.
This guide covers everything a Myrtle Beach homeowner, vacation rental investor, or out-of-state property owner needs to do before, during, and after a hurricane or major tropical storm. We've organized it into actionable checklists by category so you can work through it systematically and know nothing is missed.
⚠️ Most Important Thing First — Evacuations
If Horry County issues a mandatory evacuation order, leave. Myrtle Beach sits on a low-lying barrier coastline highly vulnerable to storm surge — the number one cause of hurricane fatalities. No property is worth your life. Leave early, before fuel shortages and traffic gridlock make evacuation dangerous. Contact Horry County Emergency Management at horrycounty.org for current evacuation zones and shelter locations.
When Is Hurricane Season in Myrtle Beach?
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs June 1 through November 30. Myrtle Beach's peak risk window is August through October, when Atlantic water temperatures are at their seasonal high and tropical systems are most likely to intensify before reaching the Carolinas. The most dangerous storms in Horry County history — Hugo (1989), Floyd (1999), Matthew (2016), Dorian (2019) — all arrived between August and October.
Preparation should be complete before June 1 every year, not started when a storm is already in the Atlantic. The window between a tropical system being named and making landfall is typically 72–96 hours — far too little time to do meaningful preparation if you haven't started.
Before Hurricane Season — Annual Prep (Complete by June 1)
🏠 Structural & Exterior Annual Checklist
- Inspect roof for loose, damaged, or missing shingles — hire a roofer if anything looks questionable
- Check all roof-to-wall connections and soffit/fascia for loose sections
- Inspect and clear all gutters — clogged gutters overflow into fascia and foundation during heavy rain
- Check downspout extensions and drainage paths away from foundation
- Inspect all exterior doors and windows for weatherstripping, caulking gaps, and frame integrity
- Confirm garage door bracing — standard garage doors are the most common hurricane entry point
- Document the entire property exterior with photos and video — date-stamped, stored in cloud
- Review your homeowners insurance policy — confirm hurricane and flood coverage separately
- Identify and photograph all serial numbers on HVAC, appliances, and equipment
- Trim all trees and shrubs — overhanging branches are the most common source of property damage
- Install hurricane shutters or confirm plywood availability for all windows
🏊 Pool Annual Hurricane Prep
- Confirm pool equipment (pump, filter, heater, automation) is properly grounded and bonded
- Verify pool deck drains are clear and flowing
- Confirm you have enough shock and algaecide stockpiled for post-storm treatment
- Know the location of your pool's main circuit breaker for rapid shutdown
🏖️ Vacation Rental Annual Prep
- Create a storm contact protocol — who notifies guests if evacuation is ordered?
- Establish a relationship with a local property maintenance team for post-storm assessment
- Confirm your STR insurance covers hurricane and storm surge damage
- Have a post-storm cleaning team on speed-dial before season starts
48–72 Hours Before a Hurricane
When the National Hurricane Center places Myrtle Beach in a watch or warning cone with 48–72 hours to landfall, the preparation phase ends and the protection phase begins.
🌀 72-Hour Property Checklist
- Install hurricane shutters or board all windows with 5/8-inch plywood minimum
- Bring ALL outdoor furniture, grills, umbrellas, potted plants, and decorative items inside or secure with heavy straps
- Remove all door mats, welcome signs, and lightweight exterior items
- Fill your vehicle with gas — stations run out quickly before major storms
- Withdraw cash — ATMs often go offline during and after storms
- Charge all phones, laptops, and portable batteries
- Fill bathtubs with water for sanitation if water service is disrupted
- Document property condition with photos and video — timestamp everything
- Move valuables, important documents, and irreplaceable items to interior upper floors
- Turn refrigerator and freezer to maximum cold to preserve food longer if power is lost
🏊 Pool — 48 Hours Before
- Do NOT drain your pool — an empty pool can float out of the ground from hydrostatic pressure
- Lower water level 1–2 feet to allow for heavy rainfall without overflow
- Shock the pool heavily — storm conditions will destroy chlorine levels; pre-treating helps recovery
- Add algaecide preventively before the storm
- Remove ALL pool furniture, toys, floats, and equipment from the pool and deck area
- Remove pool cleaner robots and automatic cleaners from the pool
- Turn off pool equipment at the circuit breaker — do not leave running during the storm
- Wrap and protect exposed pump and filter components if possible
🏖️ Vacation Rental — 48 Hours Before
- Cancel or relocate any active guests — issue refunds per your platform policy
- Notify upcoming guests and coordinate rescheduling
- Complete full property documentation with photos before storm arrives
- Remove all outdoor furniture, decorative items, and anything that can become a projectile
- Close and lock all windows and doors — double-check every room
- Unplug all non-essential electronics
- Turn off water at the main shutoff if you're evacuating and won't be present
Out-of-state owners
If you manage your Myrtle Beach property remotely, establish a relationship with a local property maintenance team before hurricane season starts — not when a storm is 48 hours out. Bakerss provides pre-storm preparation services and post-storm property assessment for out-of-state owners. Call 843-467-7136 or email info@bakerss.com to set up a storm preparedness plan for your property.
During the Hurricane
If you followed evacuation orders, you're away from the property. If you sheltered in place (only appropriate for properties outside mandatory evacuation zones and only for storms that don't bring significant surge), stay inside, away from windows, in an interior room on the lowest floor above flood level.
Do not go outside during any part of the storm — including the calm of the eye passage. The back eyewall arrives within minutes and is often as intense as the front wall.
After the Hurricane — 0–24 Hours Post-Storm
⚡ Immediate Post-Storm Safety Check
- Do NOT return to your property until local authorities confirm roads are clear and safe
- Do NOT enter a property with visible structural damage until inspected by a professional
- Watch for downed power lines — treat all downed lines as live
- Watch for standing water in the roadway — 6 inches can sweep a person off their feet, 12 inches can float a car
- Do NOT use generators, grills, or propane indoors — carbon monoxide kills more people in post-storm recovery than the storm itself
- Report property damage to your insurance company immediately — do not wait
📋 Property Assessment — As Soon as It Is Safe
- Photograph and video the entire exterior before touching anything — insurance documentation
- Check roof for missing shingles, displaced flashing, and debris impact damage
- Check all gutters — storms routinely pack gutters completely with debris and roof granules
- Inspect all windows and doors for frame damage and seal breaches
- Check HVAC, pool equipment, and exterior mechanical systems
- Walk the entire perimeter — note fence damage, landscape damage, and drainage issues
- Check interior for any water intrusion from roof, windows, or doors
🏊 Pool — Post-Storm Recovery
- Do not turn pool equipment back on until electrical systems have been inspected after flooding
- Remove all debris from pool water — leaves, sticks, and organic matter will rapidly turn the pool green
- Test water chemistry — expect pH, alkalinity, and chlorine to all be significantly out of range
- Shock the pool heavily — storm bather load and organic debris require aggressive treatment
- Run filter continuously until water clears — may take 24–72 hours after major storm
- Inspect pool deck for cracks, lifted pavers, and drainage issues before reopening
Post-Storm Property Services — What Myrtle Beach Homeowners Need
After any significant storm, Bakerss provides the following post-storm services throughout Horry County. These should be scheduled as soon as the property is safe to access:
Post-Storm Pressure Washing
Hurricanes and tropical storms deposit sand, salt spray, algae-rich standing water residue, and organic debris on every exterior surface. Left untreated, these deposits accelerate surface degradation and create biological growth that penetrates concrete, wood, and painted surfaces. Post-storm exterior pressure washing starting at $99 — priority scheduling for active Bakerss clients.
Gutter Cleaning
Storm debris — leaves, pine straw, roof granules, and twigs — packs gutters completely during a major storm, often within hours of the weather passing. Post-storm gutter cleaning removes this load before the next rainfall and identifies any gutter damage from falling debris. Starting at $150 throughout Horry County.
Property Inspection & Assessment
For out-of-state owners and vacation rental investors who aren't on-site, Bakerss provides post-storm property walk-throughs with photo documentation, damage reporting, and coordination with insurance claims. Contact info@bakerss.com to arrange pre-season storm coverage for your Myrtle Beach property.
STR Cleaning & Relaunch
Getting a vacation rental back online after a storm means a complete interior and exterior cleaning, removal of storm debris and sand, equipment check, and property photography for listing updates. We coordinate with your rental calendar to get the property listed again as quickly as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does hurricane season start in Myrtle Beach?
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs June 1 through November 30. Myrtle Beach's peak risk window is August through October, when water temperatures in the Atlantic are at their seasonal high and tropical systems are most likely to intensify before reaching the Carolinas.
What should I do to my pool before a hurricane in Myrtle Beach?
Do NOT drain your pool — an empty pool can float out of the ground due to hydrostatic pressure from saturated soil. Lower the water level 1–2 feet, shock the pool heavily, remove all deck furniture and accessories, turn off and protect electrical equipment, and balance the chemistry before the storm arrives.
How do I protect my vacation rental before a hurricane?
Secure or store all outdoor furniture, grills, and decor. Remove door mats, signs, and anything that can become a projectile. Document the property with photos and video for insurance. Notify guests and coordinate rescheduling. After the storm, schedule professional inspection and post-storm cleaning before relisting.
What do I do after a hurricane damages my Myrtle Beach property?
Do not enter until authorities confirm it is safe. Document all damage with photos and video before touching anything. Contact your insurance company immediately. Schedule post-storm pressure washing, gutter cleaning, and a full property inspection. Contact Bakerss at 843-467-7136 or info@bakerss.com for priority post-storm service.
Does pressure washing help after a hurricane in Myrtle Beach?
Yes. Post-hurricane pressure washing is one of our most-requested services after a major storm. Hurricanes deposit sand, organic debris, algae-rich standing water residue, and salt spray on all exterior surfaces. Professional pressure washing starting at $99 restores appearance and removes biological growth before it penetrates surfaces.
Should I stay or evacuate when a hurricane threatens Myrtle Beach?
Always follow Horry County Emergency Management evacuation orders. Myrtle Beach is in a low-lying coastal zone highly vulnerable to storm surge — the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. When Horry County issues a mandatory evacuation, leave early before traffic and fuel become issues. Check horrycounty.org for real-time orders.
R
Ray Cloyd — Bakerss Property Maintenance
Ray and Courtney Cloyd own and operate Bakerss Property Maintenance, serving Myrtle Beach and all of Horry County, SC. Questions about storm prep or post-storm services for your property? Call 843-467-7136 or email info@bakerss.com — Ray answers personally.
Related Articles