Roofing company in Myrtle Beach, SC

Portuguese men-of-war have made their way up from tropical waters to the South Carolina coast, including the Myrtle Beach area, according to Facebook posts.

Men-of-war are siphonophores, a jellyfish-like animal, with long tentacles and painful venom, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. Over the past week, there have been reports of men-of-war washing up on Tybee Island in Georgia and Sullivans Island outside Charleston, The Island Packet reported.

On Facebook, people have shared photos of the creatures in Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island. Others commented saying they’ve seen multiple other men-of-war recently

Men-of-war are not common in the Myrtle Beach area but make their way up north every now and then. In June, there were many man-of-war sightings across the Grand Strand, The Sun News previously reported.

It’s unclear what brought them to South Carolina this fall.

National Weather Service meteorologist Rachel Zouzias said there hasn’t been any storms or winds that would have pushed men-of-war north. There is a tropical storm near Cuba, but it’s in the gulf so it wouldn’t have caused the migration, she said.

Zouzias said the men-of-war likely rode up the Gulf Stream. The top of the animal is filled with air, similar to a balloon, allowing it to float on top of the water and travel with ocean currents.

If there’s a man-of-war along the beach, enjoy its beauty without touching. Its tentacles can continue to sting even weeks after death, according to the NOAA. The tentacles are long so be especially careful if walking the beach barefoot.

If stung, remove any tentacles with tweezers and rinse the area with hot water or seawater for around 20 minutes, Surfer Today recommends. Over the counter medications and hot compresses also can help with the pain. If things escalate, such as having trouble breathing, chest pains, or any other complications, get to a hospital.

On Sunday at 8:13 a.m. an updated flood warning was issued by the NWS Charleston SC valid from Monday 1 a.m. until Thursday 1 a.m. The warning is for Effingham, Screven, Hampton and Jasper counties.

Minor flooding is forecast for Savannah River near Clyo from late tonight to early Thursday morning.

"At 11.0 feet, the back yards of several homes on Tom Goethe Road flood," comments the NWS.

This warning is in effect until Thursday at 1 a.m.

For either residents or campers of flood-prone, low-lying areas, take immediate action and seek higher ground. Follow evacuation instructions without delay. If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances. Avoid entering basements or rooms where electrical outlets or cords are submerged in water. If you see sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping sounds, evacuate the area immediately. Refrain from entering water that may have electricity in it and avoid walking through floodwaters. Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet. If you find yourself trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and contact emergency services, and dial 911.

During heavy rainfall, there is a risk of flooding, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Remember to never drive through water on the road, even if it seems shallow. According to the NWS, as little as 12 inches of rapidly flowing water can carry away most cars.

What is hydroplaning?

Hydroplaning is the term for when a vehicle begins sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.

This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. The three main causes of hydroplaning are:

In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here's what to know:

Source: The National Weather Service

This article was generated by the South Carolina Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom. No human journalist was harmed in this experiment. You can report errors or bugs to mcclatchybot@mcclatchy.com.

This story was originally published November 10, 2024, 8:16 AM.

It’s fitting that Fred Falconbury operates his Conway antique store out of a more than 100-year-old building.

But now, after six years of leasing space in the barn-like structure for RoadRunner Antiques, Falconbury is being forced to move his antiques and old treasures to make room for a new development.

A Slim Chickens and Firehouse Subs will be built on the location at 2197 Church St. after the current building is torn down, Falconbury said.

According to an email from Jackie Lobdell, vice president of franchise development for Slim Chickens, it appears that the franchisee “had decided to move to a different location.” Lobdell said she didn’t have details about where the new location would be.

A new location will be the second for Slim Chickens in the Myrtle Beach area. The restaurant chain opened on Oct. 21 at 135 Sapwood Road in Myrtle Beach.

The John T. Henry Auction Co. in Conway sold the property a year ago, according to John T. “Teddy” Henry II.

Henry said the property has been owned by the family for years and “we just decided to sell it.”

Henry actually helped his father construct the building which came from an old school house in the Homewood section of Conway, he said. The now 76-year-old was in the 10th grade at the time.

The school house was being torn down in the 1960s and the Henrys used the lumber and beams to construct the building.

The family used the building for auctions and had a livestock market behind the main building, Henry said.

Falconbury has tastefully stocked and placed items throughout the spacious two-story building. Walking inside is like taking a step back in time.

“It’s sad to see it go,” Falconbury said.

The new store will be at 2579 Main St. in Conway.

The current place will be closed for two months in order to move the large quantity of items in the building. However, it should be in its new space by the beginning of the year, Falconbury said.

New Study Reveals Top 10 Most Dangerous States for Cyclists, And The Safest

Key Findings:

With more Americans turning to cycling for commuting and recreation, cyclist safety today is more important than ever. Whether riding through busy city streets or along quiet rural roads, the risks vary widely depending on the location.

The recent shift toward healthier and more sustainable ways of getting around has made cycling even more popular, shining a light on the need for proper infrastructure and safety measures. Unfortunately, not all states are equally equipped to keep their cycling communities safe.

In light of these disparities, Aventon Bikes has analyzed cycling safety data across all US states to identify the most dangerous states for cyclists. The study examined cycling fatalities from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), available cycling lanes, and population data to calculate a comprehensive Cycle Safety Score for each state, with higher scores indicating safer cycling conditions.

Most Dangerous States for Cyclists

Louisiana emerged as the most dangerous state for cyclists, scoring just 1.27 out of 100 on the Cycle Safety Score index. The state recorded 45 cycling fatalities in 2022 with only 73 dedicated cycling lanes – the lowest infrastructure provision among all states studied.

Following closely behind, Florida ranks as the second most dangerous state with a safety score of 5.58. Despite having the largest number of cycling fatalities (222) in 2022, Florida maintains only 835 cycling lanes across the state, highlighting a significant infrastructure gap.

Arizona follows as the third most dangerous state, with a safety score of just 23.29. Arizona recorded 50 cycling fatalities in 2022 and has only 624 cycling lanes.

Table 1. Ten most dangerous states for cyclists

On the safer end of the spectrum, Massachusetts leads as the safest state with a safety score of 79.11, recording just 9 fatalities with its extensive network of 3,871 cycling lanes.

California follows in second place, scoring 72.74, with 177 fatalities across its impressive 5,746 cycling lanes – the largest network in the country.

Pennsylvania ranks third safest with a score of 72.01, recording 15 fatalities across its 2,744 cycling lanes.

Table 2. Ten safest states for cyclists

John Vinton, a representative for Aventon Bikes, shares some practical advice for cyclists: “Our data really highlights how much safety can vary by state, but no matter where you are, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Choosing the right route, staying aware, and using proper gear can make all the difference.

“We always suggest riders plan their routes ahead of time. If you can, stick to dedicated bike lanes, as these areas tend to be much safer. When bike lanes aren’t an option, go for roads with lower speed limits and good visibility. Safety gear is also essential; helmets, reflective clothing, and proper lights can greatly improve visibility, especially in low-light conditions. Even in states with lots of cycling infrastructure, a bit of planning and the right gear go a long way toward a safer ride.”

Methodology

The study analyzed cycling safety across US states using:

A Cycle Safety Score was calculated using a weighted formula combining normalized cycling fatality rates (60%) and cycling lane numbers (40%), where higher scores indicate safer cycling conditions.

The latest restaurant inspections by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture found roaches, rodent droppings, unsafe food temperatures and more. Since the Department of Health and Environmental Control was eliminated, the SCDA has taken over regular health and safety inspections of retail food establishments in the state.

In general, SCDA gives restaurants scoring between 88 and 100 points A grades, restaurants scoring 78-87 points B grades and restaurants scoring 77 points or fewer C grades. However, the department sometimes lowers grades for restaurants that have consecutive violations, are under enforcement action or are under pending enforcement actions, including imminent health hazards, permit suspensions or permit revocations.

Of the 358 restaurant inspections conducted in Horry and Georgetown County between Oct. 17 and Nov. 1, SCDA gave eight restaurants C grades and eight B grades. However, only five restaurants actually scored below 88 points. Here’s what inspectors found.

Copacabana Brazilian Restaurant

201 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, 29577

Score: 70

At a routine inspection of Copacabana Brazilian Restaurant Oct. 17 there were “many live and dead roaches” on food contact surfaces, walls, floors, ceilings, food preparation areas and the buffet area.

The inspection also observed “many rodent droppings” inside of the restaurant’s cabinets, insect droppings on the kitchen floors and walls, food equipment stored with old food and possible insect droppings and foods stored uncovered near live insects.

Other violations included foods in the refrigerator past their discard dates, foods like beef that “appeared possibly spoiled,”raw meat stored over ready-to-eat foods, meats at the buffet held at temperatures that weren’t hot enough, foods like fruit and eggs held at temperatures that weren’t cold enough.

Cleanliness also appeared to be a problem in the inspection, which notes that most kitchen equipment had grease build up and old food particles and the hood filters were “very dirty and have so much grease they do not appear to be working as needed.”

However, at a follow-up inspection conducted on Oct. 24, Copacabana Brazilian Restaurant scored a perfect 100. “Owner has made many improvements, and we discussed future plans for more/continuing improvements,” the follow-up inspection report says.

Spring Garden Pancake House

1702 S. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, 29577

Score: 73

An Oct. 28 inspection of Spring Garden Pancake House found several violations, including foods like sausages and hash browns held at temperatures that were too cool, foods like meats and butter stored at temperatures that weren’t cool enough and ready-to-eat foods that were held for more than a day without having the dates marked for safety.

The inspection also noted that a dirty utensil was stored as though it was clean, the refrigerator wasn’t cold enough, fans in the refrigerator were dirty and the sanitizer used had levels of chlorine that were too high. A follow-up inspection was scheduled for Nov. 7.

Jimmyz Original Hibachi House

1780 Pine Island Road, Myrtle Beach, 29577

Score: 75

A routine inspection of Jimmyz Original Hibachi House had several violations including boxes of food stored on the floor of a walk-in freezer, single-use stored on the floor, “heavily dusted” vents, ceilings and walls in the kitchen, “soiled” kitchen shelves and grease build up on the exterior of cookline equipment.

The inspection also found that cooked rice and steak were held at unsafe temperatures, fish was improperly thawed, noodles weren’t properly cooled and there wasn’t soap at the hand sink. A follow-up inspection was scheduled for Nov. 7.

Backstreet Cafe

4109 Walnut St., Loris, 29569

Score: 79

At a routine inspection of Backstreet Cafe on Oct. 30, inspectors found raw beef on containers of ready-to-eat food, ready-to-eat foods like deli meats and hot dogs without dates marked held for more than 24 hours, improperly thawed fish and standing water in the food prep cooler.

The report also notes that the interior and scoops of bulk food containers had build up of grime and old food, the interior of the microwave had build up of food splash and the walls, floors and shelves had an accumulation of grease and grime.

Comments on the report required a follow-up inspection of the restaurant on or before Nov. 8 where the violations needed to be corrected to avoid further downgrading, though no report for a follow-up is publicly available yet.

Loris Mini Mart

3201 Highway 701 S., Loris, SC

Score: 85

An Oct. 30 routine inspection of Loris Mini Mart found several violations, including ready-to-eat foods like chili, hot dogs and pizza held at insufficiently high temperatures, ready-to-eat foods like chicken wings and sausage without a date marked to ensure safe consumption and structural issues like loose baseboards and a gap under the door.

As with Backstreet Cafe, comments on the report required a follow-up inspection of the restaurant on or before Nov. 8 where the violations needed to be corrected to avoid further downgrading, but no report for a follow-up is publicly available yet.

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Maria Elena Scott writes about trending topics and what you need to know in the Grand Strand. She studied journalism at the University of Houston and covered Cleveland news before coming to the Palmetto State.