Are You Fleeing or Partying During Hurricane Irene

With Hurricane Irene swirling off the east coast, many local to the Myrtle Beach area are wondering if it’s time to flee. Still many of the 20-something set are wondering if it’s going to ruin their Saturday night party plans.

As someone who has their hurricane survival badge (5 and counting), first let me to remind you to stay clam; most hurricanes are not as damaging as Katrina was.  Irene is currently a category 1 hurricane with predictions that it will intensify to a category 3 before it hits land sometime on Saturday.

Latest projected forecasts have Hurricane Irene making landfall north of the Myrtle Beach area. According to Carolina Live there is only a 5% chance of Irene striking land in South Carolina which has to be good news for locals and tourists alike. Our neighbors to the north, however, are not looking so lucky. The forecast suggest that the eye of Hurricane Irene will most likely strike the Virginia/DC area. The Myrtle Beach area and most of North Carolina should still expect heavy rain and surf on late Friday night and Saturday as the outer bands of the storm pass.

If you are in an area that is likely to be affected by Irene: please evacuate low-lying areas, mobile homes and heavily wooded areas for safer and higher ground. The National Hurricane Center has great tips for supplies and securing your home in the case of a hurricane.

If you’re like many of my friends and are planning a hurricane party, please remember to be safe and stock up on plenty of water amidst all the alcohol. Have your party at a safe location like a hotel and not beach front. Don’t let your friends go out into the storm on a beer run; the stores will mostly likely be closed.

So are you fleeing or partying during Hurricane Irene?