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FOLLY BEACH — It’s been an expensive task for this beach city to keep its head above water in recent years.

Fresh loads of sand have been dumped five times on Folly Beach in the last three decades, a feat totaling $77 million in federal tax dollars and local funds arranged from the city, according to data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The federal government has allocated another $27 million for the emergency replacement of the equivalent of 90,000 dump truck loads of sand here in early 2024.

A number of factors have contributed to the frequent erosion seen on the beach. Scientists believe climate change, sea level rise and increasing storminess is at play.

But Folly Beach is a special in the eyes of the federal government because it is located down drift of the Charleston Harbor and its federally created jetties. These underwater rock walls span three miles into the water from the shorelines of Sullivan’s and Morris islands. They trap sand around Sullivan’s Island which prohibits the sand from flowing naturally down to Folly Beach, said Nicole Elko, president of Elko Coastal Consulting.

Hurricane Wire

“For that reason, the only addition of sand that Folly receives is from renourishment,” said Elko, who is working as a consultant for Folly Beach.

The last few coastal storms to reach South Carolina took a toll on Folly Beach, too. Emergency renourishments were done in 2005 because of destruction from Hurricane Ophelia and in 2018 because of hurricanes Irma and Matthew.

Folly Beach lost a good bit of sand during Ian last year, too. And the city had already hit its renourishment triggers prior to the storm.

How it works

The process for renourishment is tedious and includes several steps. Engineering and design plans need to be on par before crews begin the work.

But once ready, contractors use a vacuum-like drill to agitate sand down at the seabed of a body of water. The sand then makes its way through the dredge itself. And depending on the distance from the selected seabed to the shore, the sand can be pumped directly on the beach.

CONWAY — Starting next year, hurricane evacuations in South Carolina will be different.

There are still clearly defined coastal areas that can be ordered to evacuate by the governor when a storm approaches. But for the first time in over a decade, those zones have been redrawn. Local emergency management officials maintain the changes reflect the impact of recent hurricanes.

“The current (evacuation) zones are set up on a snapshot of a worst-possible-case scenario that we could have, and they’re really a little bit far-fetched,” said Randy Webster, Horry County’s assistant administrator over public safety. “Let’s try to make it a little more real … what we more likely would see and (are) more likely to encounter with an approaching hurricane, no matter what the size was.”

The state’s eight coastal counties contain predesignated zones that are assigned a letter, A through H. When a storm approaches, state and local officials discuss whether an evacuation is needed in any or all of those zones.

During smaller storms, it might only be necessary to evacuate people living in zones closest to the coast. In stronger storms, some of the more inland zones might need to be evacuated.

An evacuation order hasn’t been issued for the coast since Hurricane Dorian caused widespread damage in the state in 2019. At that time, Gov. Henry McMaster urged 830,000 residents of multiple coastal counties to leave their homes.

The new zones focus on communities that would likely be impacted by storm surge, the invasion of water that a hurricane brings when it churns ashore. Evacuations are based on that surge, not the impacts of wind or rain.

The new maps were created using surge grid data from the National Hurricane Center. Recent hurricanes such as Matthew in 2016 and Florence in 2018 shaped the maps, along with input from local officials.

All areas of the Palmetto State coastline will see changes to their hurricane evacuation zone maps. State and local officials plan to promote and distribute the new maps starting in January.

Charleston County emergency management officials declined to discuss their new maps, saying they were still being finalized. They also didn’t want to confuse people who are following the current maps this hurricane season, which runs through Nov. 30.

Brandon Ellis, the emergency services director in Georgetown County, said some of that county’s zones shifted to avoid unnecessarily evacuating people.

For example, Georgetown County’s Zone A, which traditionally included areas east of U.S. Highway 17 from the South Santee River to the Horry County line and low-lying areas along the county’s rivers, is often the only zone evacuated for a storm. Now that zone is smaller to better account for the homes that would actually be affected. Other zones have also been adjusted.

The concern is that over-evacuating leads to complacency, with people seeing an order as another false alarm. When a serious threat arrives and an evacuation order is issued, officials want people to leave.

“There’s a lot at stake,” Ellis said. “The better defined the zones are, the better our evacuation timing is, the better identified the evacuating population is. It just makes for a much more efficient and effective process in ensuring that we’re getting folks out of harm’s way that need to move.”

Horry County’s maps saw similar changes. Zone A has been reduced to narrow stretches of oceanfront on the east side of North/South Highway 17, stretching from the state line down to Myrtle Beach. Within Myrtle Beach, zones A and B only include a few oceanfront streets to the east of and along North Kings Highway. The rest of the city to the west of thT Highway is no longer within an evacuation zone.

The only other areas within Zone A and B outside of Myrtle Beach now include Surfside Beach and Garden City, stretching down to the county line.

Zone C has been significantly reduced, now limited to an area between U.S. 17 Business and U.S. 701 South. The new zone goes as far north as U.S. Highway 501 and as far south as the county line, according to the new map.

Jonah Chester and Charles Perry contributed to this report.

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FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - The city of Folly Beach revisited its short-term rental ordinance, with its first reading before the council at Tuesday’s meeting.

This time last year, the city voted to cap rentals like condos and Airbnbs to 800 across the island, but some residents still have concerns.

Residents are divided about the ordinance.

Some are still concerned about the rental cap affecting potential investments while others approve of the cap and feel it prevents disruptive renters.

During the work session the council clarified the language as far as how many nights a property can be rented for, waitlist and rental license requirements, and adding definitions to the ordinance to give it more structure.

What did not change was the cap of 800 for short-term rentals.

“This is an ordinance, and it’s like all ordinances everywhere. It never goes away, it’s always there. It can be amended many, many times going forward,” Folly Beach Mayor Tim Goodwin said. “As time goes on, and you see where you are and you say okay, well, A is not really where you want to be. We want to be over here at C. So, you can make an amendment to get you where you need to be.”

Last year more than 1,200 people turned out to vote for or against the short-term rental cap. Ultimately, 655 residents voted for the cap and 577 against it.

Folly Beach Mayor Tim Goodwin was among those who voted for the cap.

It will take several years for current short-term rentals to dwindle down to 800 from either people selling their property or no longer renewing their licenses.

“We’re trying to create a balance, and this is a compromise so everybody is not happy as you heard some of the council people alluded to that tonight,” Goodwin said. “Give a little take a little. Nobody’s going to be completely happy with what you’re doing, but that’s what happens and in politics that’s probably the best place you can be.”

There will be a second reading next Tuesday to discuss any further amendments.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

The spirited island hamlet south of Charleston shakes off mainland sophistication in favor of flip-flops and cash-only dive bars.

It's only twelve miles south of Charleston's historic homes and manicured window boxes, but the salty little town of Folly Beach ditches the Holy City's refinement in favor of an easygoing, barefoot sensibility that feels a bit more California than Carolina. Known to locals as the Edge of America, Folly is everything a beach town should be. Surf shops line the main drag; cover-ups count as appropriate lunch attire; and nobody takes themselves too seriously (they drop a pair of LED-lit flip-flops to celebrate New Year's Eve). Here's where to stay, eat, relax, and play in South Carolina's super chill surf town.

Where to Stay

Every single room at Tides Folly Beach comes with an ocean view. Perched at the end of Center Street, the town's main thoroughfare, the hotel is steps from both the beach and an array of local shops and eateries. For families looking to stretch out a bit more, there are a boatload of rentals to choose from: Opt for ocean-front properties that will sleep a crowd or cozy cottages with marsh and Folly River views. And for people who wouldn't dream of traveling without their four-legged companions, there are plenty of pet-friendly rentals too.

Where to Eat

You won't go hungry on this island. Lost Dog Café is a local staple, serving coffee and all-day breakfast; don't miss the eggs Benedict, which they top with fried green tomatoes. Fish tacos, Vietnamese-inspired lettuce wraps, and Cuban sandwiches all have a place on the colorful menu at Chico Feo, where the vibe is equally colorful. Don't let the easygoing atmosphere fool you: Rita's Seaside Grille is serious about its food...and its cocktails. Try one of the Signature Crushes, fruity sippers with flavored liquors that pack a punch. End the night at Sand Dollar Social Club, a dive bar where you're invited to come as you are, so long as you're a member; membership costs $1, so bring your cash (you won't find a credit card machine here).

Where to Relax

The island's six miles of beachfront are its main attraction, and it'd be easy to while away a week with no plans beyond putting your toes in the sand. Spend a day shelling, sunning, surfing, or searching for shark teeth. Enjoy oceanfront views while lunching at BLU Beach Bar and Grill. At the northern end of Folly Beach, the Morris Island Lighthouse provides a stunning backdrop from the shore. Get a closer look from the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve or via kayak. Several guided tours leave from Folly Beach to visit Morris Island for shelling, photography, and lighthouse history. The historic lighthouse is not open for viewing. How close you can get to the lighthouse depends on the tides.

Where to Play

For those looking to build an action-packed itinerary, there are plenty of activities that highlight the destination's natural beauty: Book a guided kayak tour or rent a stand-up paddleboard to explore the tidal creeks; stop by McKevlin's Surf Shop, South Carolina's oldest surfing outfitter, before catching some of the area's best waves at The Washout; and plan to make a trip with your fishing poles to check out the beloved Folly Beach Pier that has reopened after extensive renovations.

South Carolina is famous for its beaches, but I didn鈥檛 know them. Folly Beach, which I discovered looking for escape from a dark, grueling New York City winter, advertised exceptional surf breaks and beach town tradition. Yeah, I thought, Folly Beach! Brilliant water, four-generation family beach houses, surfer subculture, and only one bridge on and off the island; my Southern friends were surprised I鈥檇 found it.

I missed kicking off the new year with the 鈥淏ill Murray look-alike鈥� polar bear plunge, for which one dresses like a favorite Murray character and runs into the ocean. Motto: Freeze your balls off! No matter, I was just happy to find it was 20 degrees warmer than New York, and empty except for year-round people and diehard surfers. End to end, Folly is only six miles聽of wide beaches broken and protected by a series of jetties, and I planned to walk them all.

My rented house faced 鈥淭he Washout,鈥� a long beach break that got rowdy during storm swells and on windy days when the blow whipped up classic, rolling surf. A 20-minute walk up the beach was the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve with nesting sites for threatened loggerhead turtles. A local said you could find shark鈥檚 teeth there, but I never really looked. Off the beach, was marshland and maritime forest with stopover and winter roosting sites for flyway birds including the endangered piping plovers that I saw.

If I walked west, I would end up at Folly Beach County Park, acres of bone-white sand and scrub dunes bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the wide (at that point) Folly River. A day-tripper magnet between Memorial Day and Labor Day, it was now almost deserted except for people walking with dogs (only allowed in winter).

I had been warned about the weather, but on some of my best days the rain would come and go several times, leaving a freshness on the magnolias that perfumed the salt air coming off the water. My backyard had magnolias, too, and two stands of 60-foot palmetto palms with large fronds, as well as hemlocks with dense green umbrella tops鈥� excellent nesting cover for the robins, mockingbirds, and woodpeckers that fed on the palmetto cones and seeds. A swinging back gate opened onto wetlands that rose and fell with the tide.

By the time my month was up, the lessons of Folly would stay with me in the specifics. The birds and the trees and the long beach walks, learning the tides, the endlessly changing rhythms of the Atlantic. The way the sun would rise over the wetlands just outside my back gate, where early one morning I saw a family of raccoons, perhaps heading for the preserve.

Driving north over the Folly River Bridge at the end of my month, I knew that hordes would descend all summer and surfers would complain it was too crowded just to go left. But those high-season inconveniences weren鈥檛 my concern. For a month in the middle of winter, Folly was the perfect beach.

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Terry McDonell is a media executive, literary editor, and published author. He has won numerous awards for his editorial work at various magazines and websites and has written and produced for film and television. Known for his acclaimed book The Accidental Life, McDonell returned to memoir with his most recent book, Irma: The Education of a Mother鈥檚 Son.

This article appears in the Winter 2023 issue of Southbound.

Giant swaths of sand were washed away on Charleston-area beaches as a result of this week’s nor’easter, officials reported. Folly Beach, the Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island and Kiawah Island — sites expected to be filled with tourists this summer — were especially hard hit.

Folly Beach’s sand dunes were pushed back as much as 20 feet. Kiawah Island reported up to 50 feet of erosion, with the highest erosion rates occurring around delicate Captain Sam’s Spit.

The Isle of Palms recorded beach erosion without providing specific measurements.

“We had a little bit of a buffer going into this thing that there’s really not much buffer left anywhere,” said Eric Lutz, director of public works on Folly Beach in discussing the tons of sand lost there.

He added that without the sand dunes that were there, damage on the island would have been worse.

Dunes offer protection from flooding and are meant to be “sacrificial,” he said.

“They’re doing what they’re supposed to do, but it is pretty catastrophic to the naked eye when you walk on the beach and see it,” Lutz added.

‘Greater than anticipated’

On Sullivan’s Island, a nearly 10-foot tide and churning waves battered the dunes and covered Thompson Park, the historic site of a Revolutionary War battle, washing away sand. Officials closed access to the park as a result.

“The dunes were beat up pretty bad by the high tide and the wave action, so we saw a loss of the dune in many areas on the beach,” Sullivan’s Island Town Administrator Andy Benke said.

As of the afternoon on Dec. 19, several roads on Sullivan’s Island remained flooded with standing water. The town’s stormwater infrastructure was overwhelmed by the heavy rainfall, Benke said, and it could take up to three days for the water in the streets to completely drain away.

COLUMBIA — Though it can sound counterintuitive at first, U.S. Forest Service specialists are going to set parts of South Carolina forests aflame to reduce the threat of fires.

Prescribed burns will be conducted throughout Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests over the next six months, officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Feb. 8. The goal is to remove excess vegetation and dead wood from the natural habitat of plants and animals, which left unchecked could enable wildfires to spread wider, quicker and longer.

“Applying prescribed fire on the land at the right place, at the right time, under the right conditions, benefits the land,” U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Pamela Baltimore said, adding that prescribed burning is “a critical management tool to improve plant and animal habitat and the resiliency of forest landscapes to withstand drought, insects and disease.”

Smoke is likely to appear in various parts of the forests while officials conduct the burns and could spread to nearby communities. Motorists are asked to use their low beams if they notice smoke on the road.

Forest Service fire specialists are planning prescribed burns on 50,000 acres in the Francis Marion National Forest in Charleston and Berkeley counties. Call the district office in Huger at 843-336-2200.

Burns are prescribed for 55,000 acres in Sumter National Forest, broken up into three ranger districts.

The first district’s fire specialists plans to conduct burns on 10,000 acres in Oconee County. Rangers with the second district will conduct burns on 20,000 acres in Chester, Fairfield, Laurens, Newberry and Union counties. The third district covers 25,000 acres across Edgefield, McCormick, Saluda, Abbeville and Greenville counties.