Roofing company in Little River, SC

LITTLE RIVER, SC (WMBF) -- While first responders do their part to help those impacted by Helene, Grand Strand residents are doing their part back here at home, too.

Cooper’s Tavern in Little River is one of the many places along the Grand Strand collecting supplies and donations for our neighbors to the north. But, none of the people behind the effort knew just how big it would become.

“Honestly, it’s unreal,” said Taylor Denny, owner of Cooper’s Tavern. “It gives me chills just thinking about it.”

HOW TO HELP | Where to drop off supplies, donations for Helene relief in the Grand Strand

When Denny made this post on Facebook, asking for donations to take to Asheville, he didn’t expect the response it would get.

“We had an ex-employee that moved up to the Asheville area,” said Denny. “Originally, nine o’clock this morning, we were kinda thinking, you know, ‘load his car up,’ then ten rolls around, and I’m like, ' well maybe I should follow him with some of the stuff that’s being dropped off,’ and then we’re like, ‘well maybe we need to rent a trailer,’ and that became u haul.”

Among the hundreds of community members who saw the post-- James Hooks, owner of Hooks Consulting and Food Service Supply.

“We knew the floodgates were going to open, so we came up to help. Cleared our schedule and brought the truck up, and figured we could make the delivery,” said Hooks.

And, within just a few hours of Hooks bringing the truck, it was already about a quarter of the way full.

“The doors are just...people are bringing it in, so it’s probably going to fill up quick, but you know, whatever you can do to help,” said Hooks.

Denny said he may have to adjust plans depending on how much the effort grows the next day, but says it’s a good problem to have.

“Asheville, it’s a good ways away, and for us to be doing something this large for that community shows how great our community is, so, it’s heartwarming, you know,” said Denny.

Denny said because Cooper’s Tavern has already collected more than anticipated, they may bring supplies to other communities outside of Asheville, too.

As of now, they will accept anything they still have room for.

They plan to bring the supplies up to North Carolina later this week.

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As of Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Hurricane Helene continues to intensify as it approaches the Florida Big Bend area. The National Weather Service (NWS) Wilmington office issued a series of updates and warnings for areas in Northeast South Carolina and Southeast North Carolina, with potential local impacts expected from Thursday into Friday.

Situation Overview

• Hurricane Helene is a large and powerful storm system, expected to make landfall near the Florida Big Bend on Thursday evening. • Due to its large physical size, the effects of the storm will be felt far away from the center, especially on the eastern side. • Local impacts in South Carolina and Southeast North Carolina are projected to include: • Gusty winds, particularly in coastal regions. • Areas of flooding, especially in low-lying or flood-prone zones. • Isolated tornadoes, with the highest threat from Thursday night through Friday. • Dangerous surf conditions, with large breakers and strong rip currents affecting coastal waters.

Watches and Warnings

• A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for coastal Georgetown and Horry Counties in South Carolina, as well as adjacent marine zones extending up to 20 nautical miles from the shore. • The watch area extends from South Santee River to Little River Inlet, with potential impacts from Thursday evening.

Peak Forecast Wind Gusts

The NWS predicts that wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph are likely, primarily in coastal regions of Northeast South Carolina, with winds of 25-30 mph further inland. There is a possibility of higher gusts near thunderstorms, which could lead to:

• Downed trees and power lines. • Power outages across the affected regions.

Timing of Tropical Storm Winds

The most likely arrival time for tropical-storm-force winds is Thursday evening, with impacts persisting into Friday. Areas along the coastal regions of Northeast South Carolina are expected to experience the strongest winds.

Storm Surge Forecast

Minor coastal flooding is expected along the coasts of Northeast South Carolina and Southeast North Carolina, particularly with each high tide. This will be exacerbated by peak storm surges, particularly during Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. The Cape Fear River and Wilmington areas are also expected to see flooding with each high tide through the end of the week.

Tornado Threats

The primary tornado threat is anticipated to occur from Thursday night into Friday, as the outer bands of the storm sweep through the region. The NWS advises residents to be alert to changing weather conditions, as severe thunderstorms could spawn isolated tornadoes.

Key Takeaways

• Hurricane Helene is strengthening rapidly and is expected to make landfall near Florida’s Big Bend. The storm will expand significantly, and areas well outside the storm’s center will feel the effects. • Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected, with some areas potentially receiving higher amounts. This rainfall could lead to isolated flooding, especially in areas already saturated from previous storms. • Residents in coastal and low-lying areas should prepare for the possibility of minor coastal flooding during high tides and ensure their safety plans are in place.

Next Briefing

The National Weather Service will provide its next update at 6:00 PM EDT on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official sources, including local NWS offices and social media channels.

Stay safe and be prepared for changing weather conditions as Hurricane Helene approaches.

Gail Bliss wants to use her national platform to showcase Little River to the world.

Bliss, a Little River resident and a former singer in the Alabama Theatre’s ‘ONE The Show’, made her voice known to the country recently when she joined “Team Snoop” during an audition on NBC’s The Voice.

Bliss performed “If It Hadn’t Been For Love” by the SteelDrivers in her audition, which aired on Sept. 30. The four judges — Snoop Dogg, Reba McEntire, Gwen Stefani and Michael Bublé — did not turn their chairs initially. However, Snoop Dogg used his “replay button” to have Bliss join his team for future rounds.

As excited as Bliss was to continue in the competition, she’s just as excited to be known as the “girl from the Grand Strand.”

“It’s just a great pleasure and an honor to represent our Lowcountry area here on the Grand Strand on The Voice,” Bliss said. “To be able to do it on a national platform is just so exciting. To be able to say ‘I’m Gail Bliss and I’m from Little River, South Carolina,’ that was so much fun. I knew that the folks here at home would go ‘Oh my gosh, isn’t that the girl we have seen at the Alabama Theatre for all those years?’… And it is. It’s that same girl.”

Bliss has been singing on the Grand Strand for roughly 20 years. She moved to the North Myrtle Beach area in 2002 and has been actively involved in the local entertainment scene ever since.

In addition to her being a cast member at the Alabama Theatre, she portrayed Patsy Cline in a national tour: “A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline.” Now, she’s involved in a new show — “Gail Bliss & The Nashville Barn Dance” — that took place at the Alabama Theatre last year and will run on Feb. 8 at the new Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre in North Myrtle Beach.

'Part of it is my legacy': North Myrtle Beach venue to once again host performing arts

Even when she’s not working, Bliss is still singing. She says she enjoys joining her church worship and praise team at Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church on the weekends for the church’s contemporary service. She also does a yearly gospel concert at ODPC.

“Whenever I’m in town, I am there singing with them,” Bliss said.

The experience auditioning for The Voice and getting to join Team Snoop, Bliss said, has been a surprise. Joining a team led by Snoop Dogg doesn’t exactly fit her style on paper, but the local singer says she wouldn’t want it any other way.

Whether with Team Reba or Team Snoop, Bliss says she’s thrilled to have the opportunity to sing in front of the world. The Youtube clip of her audition on the show was closing in on 200,000 views as of Tuesday afternoon.

“Of all people, he would’ve probably my last choice if I would’ve had a four-chair turn,” Bliss said of Snoop Dogg. “I probably would have gone with the obvious, Reba, because I sing country and I’m in her age group. She’s an actress and she can relate to all of all of those wonderful things.

“But honestly, I am so happy it went down the way that it did because Snoop is so dang cool. He is so diverse. Now that I’m starting to learn more about him, he is so diverse. He has no barriers in his life. He puts up no walls. He’s just such a cool dude… He’s multi-generational, multi-genre, it’s just been so fantastic. I am so grateful to him.”

Bliss lives in the historic Robert Livingston House in Little River, which was built in 1848.

She takes a very involved and hands-on approach to living in the area. Culture and history are things she and her husband enjoy, and they like to fully embrace their home. It’s why she says she was filled with joy when she got to call out her home town on the show.

“Being born and raised in the pacific northwest, it’s a very different way of living here,” Bliss said. “I love the south. The people are so friendly and hospitable. I love the culture of the south, I really do… It’s a charming place. It’s a beautiful place. I just love the fact that I live in the Little River fishing village. It’s such a quaint little place where the people who live near me are commercial fishermen. Both of my granddads were commercial fishermen, but in California.”

The show continues on NBC throughout the fall, and Bliss will take part in the next round: the Battles.

Bliss’ journey will continue on Team Snoop as the episodes continue to air. And as they do, she hopes you will watch and cheer her on.

As much as she would like for you to hear her compete and sing, she hopes one thing shines above the rest: her love for life on the Grand Strand.

“It’s just a precious place that I feel very fortunate to call my home,” Bliss said. “I feel very fortunate to put the name Little River, and the Grand Strand, on this national platform with The Voice… What an opportunity for our community to have another feather in the cap.”

Joe Wedra is a sports writer with MyHorryNews. Reach him at joe.wedra@myhorrynews.com. Follow him on X at @jwedrasc