You can go ahead and print the 鈥淚 survived the blizzard of 2025鈥 T-shirts.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, the Winter Storm Enzo last week dumped the most snow that Horry County has experienced in a quarter of a century.
鈥淚t was the most significant snowfall since Jan. 26, 2000,鈥 NWS meteorologist Ian Boatman said of the 5-to-6 inches that blanketed the county on Jan. 21-22.
Unofficially, according to the NWS, it was the fifth-snowiest storm on record since 1940 in Myrtle Beach.
And it stuck around for a while, giving local children plenty of time to make snowmen and snow angels, and giving road crews and drivers headaches as the gradual melt-off led to overnight refreezes through the weekend.
Here鈥檚 the good news.
鈥淭he snow has melted, and we鈥檙e in a warming trend,鈥 Boatman said on Tuesday, Jan. 28. 鈥淚t looks like late January and early February will be warm.鈥
After that, he said, it鈥檚 anybody鈥檚 guess. 鈥淚t鈥檚 still winter; it could happen.鈥
Now that the roads are clear and the weather has warmed, many area municipalities, utilities, agencies and schools will be evaluating their response with an eye to improvements.
Gallery and videos: See the winter wonderland in the Myrtle Beach area
Snow_KJ 18
鈥媁ee! Snow began to fall in the Myrtle Beach area on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, and continued through the early morning Wednesday. Parts of the a…
Snow_KJ 04
鈥婼now began to fall in the Myrtle Beach area on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, and continued through the early morning Wednesday. Parts of the area s…
Snow_KJ 16
鈥婼now began to fall in the Myrtle Beach area on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, and continued through the early morning Wednesday. Parts of the area s…
Snow_KJ 12
鈥婼now began to fall in the Myrtle Beach area on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, and continued through the early morning Wednesday. Parts of the area s…
Snow_KJ 13
鈥媃ikes - a fountain froze in Myrtle Beach on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. Snow began to fall in the Myrtle Beach area on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, …
Calabash snow - drone
A drone's view of snow in Calabash on Wednesday morning, Jan. 22, 2025.
Joe's snow
Snow blankets the ground in reporter Joe Wedra's neighborhood just over the state line in North Carolina on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, 2025.
Aynor snow
Snowfall amounts in Aynor are around 6 inches, forecasters say. This shot was taken by Emily Johnson on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.
NMB snow 1
A view of the sunrise in North Myrtle Beach as snow covers the sand on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. Photo courtesy Hudson Hill
NMB snow 2
A view of the sunrise in North Myrtle Beach as snow covers the sand on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. Photo courtesy Hudson Hill
Carolina Forest snow_STC 01
While many folks are enjoying the snow with a day off at home, Frank Jenkins and Eric Jones of Carolina Greenscape Management, Inc. were shove…
Carolina Forest snow_STC 02
While many folks are enjoying the snow with a day off at home, Frank Jenkins and Eric Jones of Carolina Greenscape Management, Inc. were shove…
Carolina Forest snow_HSO 01
Dog footprints in the snow along a road in Carolina Forest on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025.
Snow beginning to fall in the Carolina Forest area on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, 2025.
Snow falling at the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.聽
Snow_KJ 01
鈥婣 look at the beach from 8th Avenue North in Myrtle Beach on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. Snow began to fall in the Myrtle Beach area on Tuesday…
Snow_KJ 02
鈥婼now began to fall in the Myrtle Beach area on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, and continued through the early morning Wednesday. Parts of the area s…
Snow_KJ 03
鈥婼now began to fall in the Myrtle Beach area on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, and continued through the early morning Wednesday. Parts of the area s…
Snow_KJ 05
The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk as snow began to fall on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, and continued through the early morning Wednesday. Parts of the ar…
Snow_KJ 06
鈥婼now began to fall in the Myrtle Beach area on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, and continued through the early morning Wednesday. Parts of the area s…
Snow_KJ 07
Myrtle Beach City Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. 鈥婼now began to fall in the Myrtle Beach area on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, and continued thro…
Snow_KJ 08
鈥婬ey, pup! Snow began to fall in the Myrtle Beach area on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, and continued through the early morning Wednesday. Parts of …
Snow_KJ 09
鈥婼now began to fall in the Myrtle Beach area on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, and continued through the early morning Wednesday. Parts of the area s…
Snow_KJ 10
鈥婼now began to fall in the Myrtle Beach area on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, and continued through the early morning Wednesday. Parts of the area s…
Snow_KJ 11
鈥婽he Myrtle Beach coast on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. Snow began to fall in the Myrtle Beach area on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, and continued thro…
Snow_KJ 14
鈥婼now began to fall in the Myrtle Beach area on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, and continued through the early morning Wednesday. Parts of the area s…
Snow_KJ 15
鈥婼now began to fall in the Myrtle Beach area on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, and continued through the early morning Wednesday. Parts of the area s…
Snow_KJ 17
鈥婼now began to fall in the Myrtle Beach area on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, and continued through the early morning Wednesday. Parts of the area s…
Conway snow 2025
The snow covered entrance to the Conway Riverwalk on Jan. 22, 2025 made for a peaceful scene.
Conway snow 2025
Snow under the Main Street bridge in Conway on Jan. 22, 2025.
Conway snow 2025
Conway's Riverwalk was blanketed in snow Jan. 22, 2025.
Conway snow 2025
No traffic on Main Street Conway on the morning of Jan. 22, 2025.
Conway snow 2025
No one was traveling on Third Avenue in Conway early on Jan. 22, 2025.
Conway snow 2025
City Hall in snow on Jan. 22, 2025.
Conway snow 2025
Lone soul braving the cold on Conway's Main Street on the morning of Jan. 22, 2025.
Snow day 2025
Jasmine Woods revels in the snow in Myrtle Beach Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Conway Snow one 2025
Conway welcomes everyone to first snow in years on Jan. 22, 2025.
Sledding_2
Jasmine Woods sleds down a hill on a pool floatie Wednesday, Jan. 22 on a rare Myrtle Beach snow day.
Sledding
Daniel Woods (right) pushes his daughter, Jasmine, on a sled down a hill near the interchange of Highways 17 and 501 on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Couple sitting on snowy boardwalk
Carlos and Nina Cepeda take in the views of a snowy boardwalk from chairs flanking the front doors of Oceanfront Bar and Grill on a rare Myrtl…
Couple walking on snowy beach
Daniel Boland and Mariah Cox enjoy a walk on the shore of Myrtle Beach Wednesday, Jan. 22 on a rare snow day on the Grand Strand.
Bowery snow day
Duffy's borders The Bowery, a well-known Myrtle Beach landmark where the band Alabama got its start. On a rare snow day Wednesday, Jan. 22, Du…
casey snow 14
A family walks by a snow-covered boat at the Conway Marina on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Photo by Casey Jones/casey.jones@myhorrynews.com)
casey snow 15
Snow covers a fallen tree at Riverfront Park in Conway on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Photo by Casey Jones/casey.jones@myhorrynews.com)
casey snow 10
Conway residents dug out their snow boots and took them for walks at the Riverwalk on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Photo by Casey Jones/casey.jo…
casey snow 11
A dog takes its humans for a walk at the Conway Marina on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Photo by Casey Jones/casey.jones@myhorrynews.com)
casey snow 12
A car crosses snow-covered tracks on Railroad Street in Loris on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Photo by Casey Jones/casey.jones@myhorrynews.com)
casey snow 8
Streets were still covered with ice and snow in Loris on the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 after five and one-half inches of snow fell…
casey snow 9
Tracks head toward the playground in Collins Park in Conway on Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025 after a rare winter storm. (Photo by Casey Jones/casey.…
casey snow 7
A motorist gets a jump after cold weather claimed a car battery in downtown Conway on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Photo by Casey Jones/casey.jo…
casey snow 6
A child views the snow at the playground at the Conway Marina on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Photo by Casey Jones/casey.jones@myhorrynews.com)
casey snow 5
Children ambush an adult with snowballs at the Conway Marina on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Photo by Casey Jones/casey.jones@myhorrynews.com)
Casey snow 2
A snow plow drives down Highway 701 between Conway and Loris on after five inches of snow fell in Horry County on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2024. (P…
casey snow 4
A man shovels snow off the sidewalk at the Cypress Inn at Conway Marina on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Photo by Casey Jones/casey.jones@myhorry…
casey snow 3
Sophie Corzo and Alex Robles sled ride in Conway on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2024. (Photo by Casey Jones/casey.jones@myhorrynews.com)
casey snow 1
Sophie Corzo, left, and Alex Robles sled down the embankment of the Main Street bridge in downtown Conway on Wednesday, Jan. 22. (Photo by Cas…
Schools take action
Horry County School District took no chances, cancelling in-school classes Jan. 21-23 and reverting to online learning.
鈥淵ou always err on the side of caution. Our biggest concern is always the safety of our students and staff,鈥 said school district spokesperson Lisa Bourcier.
While the main roads were in good shape by Friday, Jan. 23, she said district buses traverse 1,100 miles of roadways, including many secondary routes and dirt roads that receive less attention.
Instead, the district played the waiting game, reverting to online instruction.
鈥淲e have more options to deliver instruction now,鈥 she said. 鈥淚f anything good came out of Covid, that was it.鈥
School districts are allowed to have five e-learning days before make-up days are required to meet the 180-day mandate.
The district didn鈥檛 even have to clear parking lots and sidewalks at its 50-plus schools. 鈥淢other Nature took care of that,鈥 Bourcier said.
Horry-Georgetown Technical College remained operational during the storm through online instruction for students and remote work for faculty and many staff members.
HGTC Public Relations Director Nicole Hyman said the emergency response plan was executed flawlessly with 鈥渕inimal disruption to academic and support services.鈥
The college鈥檚 facilities personnel were well-prepared for the event, she said, with an adequate inventory of sand and ice-melt on hand. "Their efforts ensured the campuses were safe and ready for the return of everyone.鈥
While Hyman said a 鈥減ost-incident analysis鈥 will be conducted, no problems were encountered, so changes to the HGTC Safety and Emergency Response Manual likely won鈥檛 be needed.
Coastal Carolina University "transitioned to remote learning and work for several days鈥 after the storm, according to Jerry Rashid, director of university communication.
He said emergency operations personnel 鈥渞emained flexible and were able to make adjustments to their winter storm response plans as needed,鈥 and praised the response team and their recovery efforts.
鈥淭he greatest challenge to response operations was the ice and the daily melt-refreeze cycle,鈥 Rashid said.
An 鈥渁fter-action review鈥 will be conducted after recovery operations conclude, he added.
Utilities report
Horry County鈥檚 water and sanitary sewer service provider implemented its emergency response plan Tuesday in advance of the storm, and experienced no significant problems, according to Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority Executive Director Christy Holder.
鈥淲e had some main line breaks but all leaks were repaired and service restored,鈥 she reported, adding all water is safe for consumption.
鈥淲hen we have a hard freeze for several days we see an increase in water service lines leak once the temperatures return to above freezing,鈥 she said, noting repair operations continued through the weekend.
Horry Electric Cooperative experienced three major outages attributed to the storm. Two were caused by vehicle collisions and one was due to hardware failure.
鈥淭he poles didn鈥檛 break, so crews were able to restore power quickly after making equipment repairs,鈥 spokesperson Jennifer Cummings said.
She reminded the public to remain in their vehicles if possible when wires come down in a wreck, and to never drive over downed power lines.
鈥淭reat all power lines as if they are energized and deadly,鈥 she said.
Utility trucks were fueled up and loaded with materials in advance of the storm, enabling crews to respond to outages expeditiously.
鈥淲e prepare for the worst and pray for the best possible outcome,鈥 Cummings said. 鈥淚ce, sleet and wind are the biggest enemies in winter storms, so we were very fortunate with this storm.鈥
Santee Cooper reported minimal issues through the snow.
鈥淲e returned to normal operations at noon on Thursday with few disruptions to power,鈥 said Tracy Vreeland, a Santee Cooper public relations specialist.
She said a single pole insulator serving Moncks Corner and Berkeley Electric broke due to the weather, but power was restored within an hour.
The utility prepares for winter storms the same as it prepares for hurricanes, staging crews and equipment to quickly respond to outages.
Local governments
Horry County Government closed offices and services for a few days, but returned to normal operations at noon last Friday.
鈥淏y and large, Horry County saw high levels of compliance with the request that community members stay off the roads during the worst portions of the winter storm and refreeze so far,鈥 said Mikayla Moskov, the county鈥檚 director of public information.
She also praised 鈥渘eighbors assisting neighbors,鈥 businesses 鈥渃losing briefly to empower employees to stay safe,鈥 and the 鈥渃ollaboration between municipalities, counties, utility providers and state agencies鈥 in their response to the storm.
She said the county has yet to conduct a planned 鈥渁fter-action review,鈥 but noted 鈥渋t takes a team effort to get through a storm, and Team Horry showed up to the task.鈥
Citizens are advised to follow updates on the county's website and social media pages, and monitor local news outlets for information during emergencies.聽
Myrtle Beach was forced to close city facilities on Wednesday and Thursday due to the storm, and open late on Friday, but "no major negative incidents occurred," according to city spokesperson Patrick Lloyd.
He said some frozen water pipes burst in private buildings, and the public works team responded.
The city鈥檚 solid waste team had to play catch up after falling behind due to the storm. On Friday they picked up 139 tons of trash. On a normal day they collect about 20 tons, Lloyd reported.
While road conditions were hazardous in the wake of the storm, the public largely heeded the city鈥檚 warning to stay off the streets. 鈥淲hile there were some people driving during this time frame, they exercised extreme caution, which helped make sure everything went smoothly," Lloyd said.
He credited the city鈥檚 emergency management team, which monitored the storm for several days prior to its arrival, and helped city leaders make informed decisions including the closures.
The city of North Myrtle Beach has refined its emergency plans over the years, and the response to the winter storm was carried out with 鈥渘o significant issues encountered,鈥 said NMB Public Information Officer Lauren Jessie.
The public works, fire and police departments 鈥渨orked tirelessly around the clock to ensure our community remained prepared, safe and ready for any situation,鈥 she said.
Jessie thanked the public for heeding warnings and staying off the roadways.
She said an informal evaluation will take place, and depending on the findings, a more formal follow-up may be conducted.
Dealing with winter storms is part of the city of Conway鈥檚 annual emergency response training and exercises, despite their rarity.
Public Information Officer June Wood said the city lacks large snow plows or salt-spreading equipment, but officials coordinated with SCDOT to 鈥渆nsure that critical roadways were treated. These roads serve as vital lifelines for first responders and essential personnel, allowing for continued emergency services."
Wood said the city also worked with local media to encourage residents to stay home, stay warm and take precautions, and it paid off. 鈥淭hese efforts were successful, as evidence by the low number of incidents and minimal traffic observed during the most hazardous conditions."
Solid waste collection schedules were adjusted due to road conditions. 鈥淭he safety of our employees and the public is our top priority,鈥 Wood said.
She said city officials will study the response with an eye to making improvements. 鈥淥ur goal is to continue refining our emergency operations to better serve our residents in future events,鈥 she said.
The town of Aynor weathered the storm unscathed, according to City Manager Ashley Work.
She said the South Carolina Department of Transportation cleared the roads, and city staff cleared and salted the sidewalks.
No traffic accidents or power outages were reported.
Surfside Beach Communications Director Tabatha Mull said the town had a plan, it worked, there were no problems, there won't be a post-incident analysis that she knows of, and there鈥檚 nothing more the public can do to help in these types of situations.
鈥淥ur first responders and public works team did a great job,鈥 she said.
Loris survived the blizzard of 2025 in fine shape, and the kids had fun, Mayor Mike Suggs reported.
鈥淚 saw some snowmen around town,鈥 he said, noting he measured five and one-half inches of snow, and temperatures dipped into the teens.
City hall closed early Tuesday in advance of the storm, stayed shuttered on Wednesday and Thursday, and operated on a two-hour delay on Friday.
Loris volunteer firefighters, however, had a long week. Suggs said the firehall was staffed around the clock from Tuesday evening through Thursday evening to assure that the department could respond to emergencies.
The main roads in town are under SCDOT鈥檚 purview, and road crews applied sand and salt, he said.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.