Jim and Susan Turner and their friends Seppo and Judy Hupponeret were paying their first visit to the Grand Strand – but it’s safe to say the Canadian couples had no idea that familiar visions of fluffy whiteness falling from the clouds would follow them all the way to South Carolina.
Scheduled to return to Canada today, they were evacuated from their Catalina Drive condo by firefighters last night as a still-raging fire began its destructive path through Horry County.
With no electricity, they had to gather what they could in the dark.
As we were talking with Jim Turner, a gust of wind blew yet another blanket of white, snow-like ash through the air.
“We brought the Canadian snow with us,” Turner joked as ashes cascaded around him. “It makes us feel at home!”
A massive inferno that has engulfed 100 homes and consumed over 15,000 acres is on the move again, state Forestry officials said this afternoon – eating up more Horry County real estate.
Additionally, it could be days before the fire is completely under control.
Gov. Mark Sanford declared a state of emergency earlier today for Horry County, pledging to send whatever state assets were necessary to the region.
Bill and Nell Maxwell of Horry County said they are “trying to make the best of it.”
“They’re not telling us anything,” the Maxwells said, adding that they have no idea of the condition of their home.
They were among several hundred evacuees who converged on The House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach, which has become a shelter for evacuees – at least those on two legs.
Pets are not permitted, which means that Carol Chase of Edgerton – who was evacuated last night – is having to rough it on a sailboat with her dog.
Stay tuned to FITS for more as we continue to track this fire and its effects on South Carolina …
Staff reporter Mande Wilkes contributed to this article. Pics from Jenerette.com.
WEB EXTRA
By FWFIV April 23, 2009 at 4:37 pm
We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the NMB public saftey officers who saw the fire jump Hwy 22 and start burning in Barefoot Resort. Within minutes they called in reinforcements and went door to door at around 2am this morning to get people out of danger. As of this afternoon, there are no reported injuries or deaths due to the fire.
As of the 9:15am press conference the city of North Myrtle Beach had yet to receive a repy from Gov. Sanford, according to the mayor of NMB, Mrs. Hatley. Although I am not a fan of the gov. this is just unforgivable. Please remember his delay in responding as he tries to further his political career.
By Mab April 23, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Nice work from our often thankless public servants. Sincerely, thank you.
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Barney FWFIV — will you give the man a frickin’ break? Is every natural (or not) disaster an opportunity of ‘You All vs. Governor Sanford’ ?
Do you not think he has friends and family among the endangered in Myrtle Beach? Why do we even elect a governor in this state if you people are so rebellious of his leadership? Wanna try it?
By FWFIV April 23, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Mab-
Get your facts straight, the fire was a threat in North Myrtle Beach, an entirely different town and government body. As to whether I would give it a try, well no, but then again I did not run for the office.
The truth of the matter is the town of North Myrtle Beach called the governors office for help and assistance, as of the 9:15am press conference, no replyhad come from Gov Sanford. This is a vital area for the economic well being of South Carolina, tourism dollars are our main industry in this state. Why in the world was he not front and center as soon as this problem started. Once again, he was in libertarian la la land. What a effing tool!
By Mab April 23, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Barney, you can always call 1-800-Obama if that gives you the warm, fuzzy feel-good-&-safe-&-coddled(s).
By the right side April 24, 2009 at 12:17 am
To FWFIV: ask Hatley why she called Dick Elliott to get the Gov’s office. get real. Elliott would not know what to do if you told him and he did not call the Gov or his office. Hatley going through Elliott wasted valuable time. She was a camera hog with no substance at all. several calls were made before the Gov’s office fpund out anything. AND hatley did not return msgs from the Gov’s top staff. WHY is that? hatley called elliott at 6 am and the Gov’s staff did not get anything til 8 am because Elliott didnt know what to do. If Hatley had called the “right” people who knew what to do things would have been different. But thats Hatley for you.
By Sally Calder April 24, 2009 at 8:25 am
right side, don’t confuse fwfiv with the facts. liberals don’t do facts well.
By hammerheadSC April 24, 2009 at 8:43 am
There is a chain of command here too FMFIV, Beside calling up the Guard ( which was done) the only thing else the Governor can do is call a state of emergency and request federal assistance. He can not get the assistance until he do declare the state of emergency. Speaking of getting facts straight research this and look at past state of emergencies and tell me how a governor did any different.