Hurricane Ian Blog

Lakewood Camping Resort will continue to add new information on the storm & its potential impacts on the top of this page:

4:00 PM, Friday, October 7th

This past week, our team has proven their dedication to our guests in their hard-work to repair the park from Hurricane Ian. While there is still work to be done, we’re happy to announce the Indoor Pool & Information Center re-opened today, one week since ocean water rushed into both amenities. While the Indoor Pool is open, we are still working to address the extensive damage done to the sun-deck located behind the pool. A contractor is already working to put the patio back together, but it will take some time to do so.

Hall-O-Wood is well underway! With the resort at about 80% capacity this weekend, we’re looking forward to a wonderful start to the Hall-O-Wood season with our loyal guests. All Hall-O-Wood activities will go on as originally scheduled, despite set-backs from the storm. Click here to learn more. 

We continue to work on the north end of the resort. One of the biggest projects our team is working on right now is restoring the pedestals on several rows. Our maintenance team already restored power to some of the sites today, but it will take some time to replace pedestals that were beyond repair.

Also on the north end of the resort, we ask for your cooperation in staying off the dunes. We are working on a solution to fix the issues caused by the storm, but ask that guests use other beach accesses to get to the beach in the meantime.

11:00 AM, Wednesday, October 5th

The Lakewood Camping Resort team is making progress when it comes to cleaning up from Hurricane Ian. While we’ve made great strides in the last few days, some areas still remain closed off to guests due to safety concerns. We would like to take this time to remind guests not to venture into areas marked with caution tape. Some of the areas not yet safe for guests include the deck behind the Arcade & the Indoor Pool.

The Indoor Pool remains closed at this time. Our staff is working to remove sand from the pool. Structural engineers with Horry County are expected to visit the park today to inspect the building. They will need to deem the Indoor Pool is safe before it can reopen. We will continue to update you here on the Lakewood Blog & on the Lakewood Camping Resort App.

The Information Center also remains closed, but repairs are well underway. Those wishing to register for events or borrow sporting equipment, can still do so at the Future Reservations Desk located in the main lobby. At this time, we hope to have the Information Center reopen on Friday, just in time for all of this weekend’s Hall-O-Wood activities.

Hall-O-Wood IS happening this week! The sites & frights you’re used to are beginning to fall into place throughout the resort! Just keep an eye on the Lakewood Camping Resort App for potential updates to the schedule. Registration for the site decorating contest is already open on the app, so be sure to register your site to compete!

Some of the park’s infrastructure was compromised during the storm. These issues will take some time to correct. One of the utilities impacted by this is guest WIFI. At this time, we have our IT team working in the park to get access points back online, however guests in some parts of the park can expect to experience issues with connectivity. Those who need WIFI for work purposes are encouraged to visit the Coffee Shop, Trading Post or main lobby to connect to WIFI.

5:30 PM, Monday, October 2nd

Our team continues to work hard to clean-up the mess left behind by Hurricane Ian.

Since the storm, many thoughtful guests have shown interest in helping with the recovery process. Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., we invite the Lakewood community to come together to clean-up debris throughout the resort.

Those interested in lending a hand, are asked to meet us at Perry Island with their own shovels, rakes & gloves.  Lakewood will provide a pizza lunch to all volunteers!

Thank you for your continued support as we work to recover from Hurricane Ian.

5:00 PM, Saturday, October 1st

The Lakewood Camping Resort team has been hard at work all day assessing damage and cleaning after Hurricane Ian. 

At this time, we are allowing new camping guests into the resort beginning Saturday, October 1st at 5:00 p.m. While we are doing our best to clean sites and other areas around the resort as quickly as possible, some sites remain affected. If you choose to visit, we ask that you please pack patience, caution, and understanding as our staff works hard to accommodate you. 

We ask that guests and residents inside the resort respect any areas that may be blocked off, this is for your safety. 

For guests looking to make changes to an existing reservation, please give us a call at (843) 447-7328. 

10:00 a.m, Saturday, October 1st

Our team has begun the process of assessing damage and recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Ian.

Due to safety concerns and damage from Ian, we WILL NOT ALLOW any NEW CAMPING guests in until further notice. We are asking for your patience and understanding in this matter as we address water, power, and electrical issues. We ask that you please do not call the Front Office unless you have an urgent matter that needs to be addressed immediately. 

At this time, all amenities are closed.

Storage Customers: Our team has surveyed our storage area and is reporting NO exterior damage to units. Storage customers with questions regarding their specific unit may have a third party inspect for interior damage. 

Future CAMPING Guests: We hope to resume new check-ins and reservations beginning 3 p.m Sunday, October 2nd. We ask that you please do not call the reservations line for future bookings due to extremely high call volume at this time.

For current guests with debris on their site, please place debris by the road side. 

Annual Leaseholders: We are out looking at Annual Lease sites today. Delta Tree Service will be in the resort tomorrow. If you would like him to come by your unit, please email [email protected]

Annual Leaseholders & Guests with MAIL: Mail Pickup will NOT take place Saturday, October 1st. We ask for patience with our Front Office staff as they are working hard to accommodate guests and residents after the storm. 

9:00 p.m, Friday, September 30

Starting early Saturday morning, our team will begin surveying damage and impacts from Hurricane Ian around the resort. 

At this time, we are not allowing any new arrivals into the resort until further notice, this includes reservations beginning Friday, September 30. Check-in could begin as early as 3 p.m on Saturday but we will not know until we get a full scope of damage caused by Ian. 

Guests nearing their check-in date with questions are asked to call the Front Office beginning at 8:00 am, Saturday, October 1st. 

At this time, all Hall-O-Wood weekend activities have been canceled. 

Be sure to download the Lakewood Camping Resort app to receive updates on operations & more

4:00 p.m, Friday, September 30

Hurricane Ian made landfall at around 2:05 p.m as category 1 in Georgetown, SC approximately 30 miles south of Lakewood Camping Resort. Impacts from Ian are being felt across the Grand Strand area including wind damage, debris and flooding.

Lakewood Camping Resort has not been immune to Ian’s impacts. Inclement weather will be moving out of our area this evening. Lakewood Camping Resort team members will begin surveying the entire property for damages starting early Saturday, October 1st. 

We understand that guests and residents are anxious to know about the state of the resort, but it is important to allow our team time to survey damages and conditions for the safety of our guests and residents. 

We ask that Annual Lease residents with questions regarding their unit to send inquiries to [email protected]

Similarly, We also ask that storage customers with questions send inquiries to [email protected] 

Please understand that the recovery process takes time and man-power, all inquiries will be answered as quickly as possible as we work to recover from the storm.

Guests and residents inside of the park are asked to avoid moving about the resort before our team has a chance to survey conditions. 

We ask that guests intending to check in on October 1st please call the Front Office beginning October 1st at 8 a.m when we have a better idea of what damages look like and what specific sites or amenities may be affected. The Front Office phone number is (843) 447-7328.

We are so grateful for the outpouring of support and prayers during this storm. We look forward to updating you tomorrow morning with a better look at damages and resort operations. 

 

2:05 P.M, Friday, September 30

All Guests and residents north of the 5000 rows are asked to evacuate to rows south of row 5000.

The Front Office & Bathhouses will be open for guests seeking shelter

Security remains on-site and can be reached at (843) 447-7333

 

2:00 PM, Friday, September 30

Water & Power outages will be felt around the park as Hurricane Ian makes its way to our area. We will continue to provide updates here as well as the Official Lakewood Camping Resort Facebook page and the Lakewood mobile app.

1:30 p.m, Friday, September 30

For the safety of guests and residents, we ask that all guests avoid oceanfront areas until conditions clear. As we continue to feel the impacts of Hurricane Ian, we ask that guests avoid traveling around the park. Security remains on-site and can be reached at (843) 447-7333.

12:00 p.m, Friday, September 30

Ian remains at hurricane strength this Friday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center, as we close in on the time of landfall. Guests and residents should use caution and remain indoors. We urge all guests and residents to stay weather-aware by following local resources like the ones listed here:

WPDE News

 WBTW News

WMBF News

National Weather Service-Wilmington

 

7:45 a.m, Friday, September 30

Lakewood Camping Resort is continuing to monitor Hurricane Ian and its potential impacts on our area. 

The Front Office will be open from 8:00 am – 10:00 am Friday, September 30.

As Ian approaches, we continue to recommend that guests rely on local media outlets to get more specifics on the potential impacts on the South Carolina coast. Those local stations include WPDE, WBTW & WMBF.

 

5:30 a.m, Friday, September 30

Lakewood Camping Resort is continuing to monitor Hurricane Ian and its potential impacts on our area. 

We encourage guests to continue to monitor the weather and to make their travel plans accordingly. We recommend guests rely on local media outlets to get more specifics on the potential impacts on the South Carolina coast. Those local stations include WPDE, WBTW & WMBF.

Out of an abundance of caution, operations at Lakewood Camping Resort will remain closed Friday, September 30th. Security team members will remain on-site for guests and can be reached at (843) 447-7333.

The Forecast

Hurricane Ian is gradually moving closer to the South Carolina coast as a Category One hurricane. Weather conditions will continue to gradually go downhill through the rest of the morning. The worst of Ian’s impacts are expected from midday through the early evening.

The latest forecast update from the National Hurricane Center has landfall between Charleston and Myrtle Beach with 85 mph winds by early Friday afternoon. Tropical storm conditions are expected across the entire region. There is a risk of hurricane conditions along the immediate beaches and across Georgetown County.

Tropical storm force winds over 40 mph are likely across the entire area on Friday. Gusts of 50 to 60 mph will be common inland. Gusts of 60 to 70 mph are likely across the beaches with a chance of a few isolated gusts to hurricane force in the most intense bands. A Hurricane Warning remains in place for the Grand Strand with Tropical Storm warnings elsewhere. 

 

4:00 p.m., Thursday, September 29

Lakewood Camping Resort is continuing to monitor Hurricane Ian and its potential impacts on our area. 

We encourage guests to continue to monitor the weather and to make their travel plans accordingly. We recommend guests rely on local media outlets to get more specifics on the potential impacts on the South Carolina coast. Those local stations include WPDE, WBTW & WMBF.

We ask that any guest with concerns regarding reservations or early departures visit the front office in person or by calling (843) 447-7328. 

Operational Updates

Please note, operational hours are still subject to change based on weather. Please continue to check the Lakewood Camping Resort app & be sure to enable notifications to receive updates.

12:20 p.m, Thursday, September 29

The National Weather Service has issued a Hurricane Warning for the South Carolina coast. Ian is a strong tropical storm with winds of 70 mph. We are now also under a Storm Surge Warning as Ian is expected to make landfall in South Carolina as a Category one hurricane.

We urge guests and residents to continue making preparations for Ian’s impact by securing outdoor rugs, decorations, and camper awnings. Storm systems can change quickly, we encourage all guests to stay weather aware by following local news and weather outlets.

National Weather Service- Wilmington

WMBF First Alert Weather

WBTW News

WMBF News 

WPDE News

10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 29

The Forecast

The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm warning for our area ahead of Tropical Storm Ian’s expected impact. On the forecast track, the center of Ian is expected to move off the east-central coast of Florida later today and then approach the coast of South Carolina on Friday. The center will move farther inland across the Carolinas Friday night and Saturday.

 

The WMBF First Alert Weather team reports that as we often see with the remnants of tropical storms and hurricanes, the risk of isolated tornadoes will likely develop by Friday afternoon and evening. Bands of thunderstorms rotating onshore from the Atlantic will have the ability to rotate and produce an isolated tornado or two at times. The most likely time frame is from Friday afternoon into Friday evening before the risk quickly shuts down early Saturday morning.

 

Strong onshore winds will result in a minor storm surge at times and minor coastal flooding will be likely at times of high tide from Thursday through Friday. Minor coastal flooding will be possible on Thursday well ahead of Ian. The highest water level rises will likely happen on Friday when the strongest onshore will develop. 

 

Local Preparations

 

South Carolina Governor, Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency for the state. This does not mean devastating impacts to our area are imminent, but rather activates resources to coordinate emergency response. 

 

“It’s still too early to know exactly how Hurricane Ian will affect South Carolina, but preparations at the state level are well underway, and this declaration of emergency is another step in that process,” McMaster said. “We do know we’ll see a lot of rain and significant storm surge on our coastline over the coming days – now is the time for each South Carolinian to make plans for every contingency and be prepared.” Governor McMaster, September 28

 

For Lakewood Guests & Residents 

 

Just as Lakewood is working to secure outdoor belongings, we also encourage our Annual Lease residents and campers to bring in anything that may be blown around in the gusty winds. You should also remember to bring in your awnings on Thursday when the wind is expected to pick up. 

 

With gusty winds expected, now is also the time to make sure you have what you need should we experience a power outage. If you have a camper with a freshwater storage tank, it’s recommended you fill it up before Thursday afternoon. Coastal flooding is also expected around high tide on Thursday and Friday. Due to this, those staying on the north end of the resort should prepare to remove outdoor belongings from the ground.

 

We recommend guests download local weather apps and enable push notifications as well as location services to receive updates overnight. Local stations include WBTW, WMBF & WPDE.

 

Please contact the front office at (843) 447-7328 regarding early departures.

At this time, Lakewood Camping Resort’s cancellation policy remains unchanged. 

 

LCR Vacation Rental Guests: Vacation Rental guests need to contact the LCR office, 843-447-7373, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday thru Saturday regarding reservations. 

 

Operational Impacts

 

Scheduled closings and cancellations:

 

This forecast has forced us to cancel the following Hall-O-Wood events for this weekend:

 

Additionally, we have adjusted the following events:

 

The Lakewood Camping Resort App has been updated to show the changes to this weekend’s schedule. Please note, things are still subject to change based on the weather. Please continue to check the app & make sure you enable notifications to receive updates throughout the weekend.

 

4:40 p.m., Wednesday, September 28

Rivertown Golf and Boats will close at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29. The plan is to re-open at 4 p.m. on Saturday, if weather allows.

11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 28

As Hurricane Ian makes its approach toward the western coast of Florida, the forecast track has shifted, however the impacts to the South Carolina coastline remain the same. After moving out of Florida, the storm will return to the Atlantic, however weather conditions will prevent the storm from regaining strength before it turns back toward land near the Georgia – South Carolina state line.

Local Impacts:

There is also a tornado risk for Friday evening into Saturday morning. We recommend guests download local weather apps and enable push notifications to receive updates overnight. Local stations include WBTW, WMBF & WPDE.

This forecast has forced us to cancel the following Hall-O-Wood events for this weekend:

Additionally, we have adjusted the following events:

We continue to encourage our guests to make the preparations mentioned in yesterday’s blog post to limit potential damages due to wind, rain & potential flooding.

Lakewood Camping Resort’s cancellation policy remains unchanged for campsites.

LCR Vacation Rental Guests: Vacation Rental guests need to contact the LCR office, 843-447-7373, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday thru Saturday regarding reservations. Guests are encouraged to file with their trip insurance if they have purchased this protection. If a LCR
guest needs to leave early or delay their check-in, but doesn’t’ have trip insurance there are no refunds.

10:00 a.m. – Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Lakewood Camping Resort continues to monitor the path of Hurricane Ian and its potential impacts on our coastline. The remnants of Hurricane Ian, along with tropical moisture from another front, are expected to bring rain and gusty winds to the Myrtle Beach area Friday and Saturday. There is also the possibility for an isolated tornado risk Friday night into Saturday, according to WPDE Chief Meteorologist Ed Piotrowski. While Hurricane Ian is expected to bring damaging impacts to parts of Florida, weather officials are clear to point out the South Carolina coast is NOT getting a hurricane.

This graphic from the WMBF News First Alert Weather Team, clearly outlines the current impacts forecasted for our coastline:

Here's a look at the timeline for the local impacts from Ian.

Source: WMBF News

How Lakewood is Preparing:

With wind gusts expected to reach 30 – 40 miles per hour on Friday, Lakewood Camping Resort employees are preparing the park by securing outdoor items, such as pool furniture. Our team is also prepared to adjust our water supply by operating on just one well, as opposed to three. This will allow us to store water in two wells as a precautionary measure, but it shouldn’t impact the water pressure throughout the park. To limit flooding in the resort, our team is going to drain the lakes on Thursday to lower water levels. Lakewood Camping Resort is also requesting Horry County dig out the swash on the north end of the resort to limit flooding in that area of the park.

Suggestions for Guests & Annual Lease Residents:

Just as Lakewood is working to secure outdoor belonging, we also encourage our Annual Lease residents and campers to bring in anything that may be blown around in the gusty winds. You should also remember to bring in your awnings on Thursday when the wind is expected to being to pick-up. With gusty winds expected, now is also the time to make sure you have what you need should we experience a power outage. If you have a camper with a freshwater storage tank, it’s recommended you fill it up before Thursday afternoon. Coastal flooding is also expected around high tide on Thursday and Friday. Due to this, those staying on the north end of the resort should prepare to remove outdoor belongings from the ground.

With all this being said, Lakewood Camping Resort remains fully operational. Many guests have questions about the storm’s potential impacts on Lakewood’s Hall-O-Wood festivities for this weekend. We will decide on activities on Wednesday based on the safety of our guests & team members. At this time, no Hall-O-Wood events have been canceled.

We suggest you rely on local media for continuous weather updates. Those stations include WPDE, WBTW & WMBF.

3:24 p.m. – Monday, September 26, 2022

Many guests have questions about the storm’s potential impacts on Lakewood’s Hall-O-Wood festivities for this weekend. We are closely monitoring the weather and will make a decision on activities on Wednesday. We will make the decision while considering the safety of our guests & team members. At this time, no Hall-O-Wood events have been canceled.

10:55 a.m. – Monday, September 26, 2022

Lakewood Camping Resort is closely monitoring the potential impacts of Hurricane Ian on the Myrtle Beach coast. It is too soon to know exactly how the storm will affect the South Carolina coastline, but at the very least weather officials expect our area to experience heavy rain and gusty winds this weekend. We encourage guests to continue to monitor the weather and to make their travel plans accordingly. We recommend guests rely on local media outlets to get more specifics on the potential impacts to the South Carolina coast. Those local stations include WPDE, WBTW & WMBF.

 

Currently, our cancellation policy remains in place. Click here to view the Lakewood Camping Resort policy on cancellations & early departures.

 

Lakewood Camping Resort remains fully operational. We will continue to update this blog as we learn more about the potential impacts of the storm.

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