In 2025, Horry County’s Stormwater Capital Improvement Program (CIP) advanced critical drainage and flood mitigation efforts across the county.
Work included construction of major drainage improvements, replacement of aging infrastructure, completion of detailed system inventories in older neighborhoods, and advancement of multiple grant-funded projects scheduled to begin in early 2026.
The County also progressed watershed-level studies to guide future stormwater investments and improve long-term flood resilience.
Here’s a brief review of the most impactful projects that got underway or were completed in 2025:
- Cartwheel Watershed study to address capacity limitation and known flooding concerns. This includes infrastructure improvements around Maplewild Road in Nichols.
- Aquilla Estates subdivision stormwater pipe replacement to address aging infrastructure and flooding.
- Ashton Acres stormwater pipe replacements underway to improve durability and long-term performance. Estimated completion date of this project is January 2026.
- Kayla Circle Drainage Improvement Project was completed in July to address flooding issues in the Myrtle Lakes community.
- Hidden Acres Watershed Drainage Improvement Project was completed in summer 2025 and addressed a critical outfall serving the greater Socastee community.
- Lafayette Park subdivision drainage improvement project at the intersection of Brandywine Drive, where roadway flooding occurred during frequent rain events. Improvements included installation of approximately 130 feet of dual 18-inch storm pipes in addition to the existing 24-inch pipe.
- Lake Vista outfall drainage improvements in the Heather Lakes subdivision to address aging and undersized infrastructure. Improvements will protect nearby properties, increase hydraulic capacity, and reduce flooding risk within the subdivision.
In addition to construction projects, the Stormwater CIP made significant progress in improving system knowledge in older neighborhoods, including Deerfield, Island Green and Bucksport, where stormwater infrastructure records were limited or incomplete.
Horry County is also nearing completion of a comprehensive watershed study for the Crabtree Watershed focused on identifying where drainage and flood mitigation improvements can be made. A finalized report is expected in early 2026.
Horry County Stormwater remains committed to continuing these improvements in the months ahead.
Here’s a glimpse of the CIP projects planned for the new year:
- Highway 9: Preliminary work to reduce flooding along Highway 9 and to improve drainage conditions in the Colonial Charters corridor is scheduled to begin in January 2026. Includes the installation of dual 54-inch concrete pipes. This project is funded by a grant awarded by the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority.
- 57th Place: The replacement of an undersized bridge with two 10-foot by 4-foot box culverts will significantly reduce prolonged flooding in the 57th Place subdivision in Longs. This project is funded by a grant awarded by the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority.
- Hemingway Chapel Road: Scheduled to begin in early 2026, this project will enhance capacity of stormwater runoff to reduce flooding upstream at Hemingway Chapel Road and eliminate flooding impacts to approximately 10 homes during major storm events. Includes the replacement of an existing 48-inch reinforced concrete pipe with three 49-inch Class V reinforced concrete pipes and one 36-inch Class V reinforced concrete pipe. This project is funded by a grant awarded by the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority.
- Jones Road: The project is out for bid and expected to be under contract in early 2026. The scope of the work includes the replacement of three 36-inch reinforced concrete pipes with two 6-foot-wide by 5-foot-high box culverts. The upgrades will help keep stormwater within the existing ditch system during major storms. This project is funded by a grant awarded by the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority.
- McCormick Road/Socastee Creek: Expected to begin in June 2026, this project will address long-standing flooding concerns along Socastee Creek by adding three 10-foot wide by 5-foot-high box culverts adjacent to the existing bridge.
These efforts reflect Horry County’s continued investment in flood mitigation, roadway safety, proactive maintenance, and data-driven planning to protect residents and improve infrastructure resilience across the county.