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Disaster Preparedness for Hurricane Season Stressed at Forum

“It’s not the strong, but the responsible that survive,” was the message stressed by Horry County Emergency Management at the third annual Hurricane Connection Forum, held June 20.

The event was hosted by Horry Georgetown Technical College in Myrtle Beach in partnership with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the chambers of commerce of Georgetown, Little River, Loris, and North Myrtle Beach, as well as businesses and organizations that specialize in disaster preparedness and recovery.

“If I could say one thing to each of the 46 counties in the state, it would be to get in contact with your local emergency management system and make a relationship,” said Loren Wallace, the Mitigation and Recovery Program Manager at Horry County’s Emergency Management.

Different regions come with different hazards, and each county’s emergency management team is equipped to handle its own unique landscape. 

Hurricane season runs from June through Nov. 1, with the biggest hits for South Carolina coming after Sept. 10. According to ABC 15’s Chief Meteorologist, Ed Piotrowski, 2024 expects to see 23 tropical storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes. 

“We’ve got a long, long way to go,” Piotrowski said. “Keep this in mind as we head into hurricane season – things can escalate very quickly.”

Piotrowski was among a panel of experts who gave insight to the forum as to how to act when severe weather is looming. Sam Hodge, director of Horry County Emergency Management, and Michael Hesbach, executive director with Eastern South Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross, rounded out the panel, and they all urged that businesses and individuals need to have a plan in place right now.

“Be patient, be flexible. Recovery is the worst part of the storm; it’s the longest part of the storm,” Hodge said. “Our small businesses, it’s a struggle for them to stay afloat sometimes during disasters. So, recovery is huge, and we need to make sure we stay flexible.”

The event was sponsored by Santee Cooper and Southeastern Alliance Underwriters.

The U.S. government offers tips on getting prepared for a severe weather event. Visit Ready.gov for a host of resources on how to plan.

Soccer-Themed Triumph Taproom Opens at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) has partnered with the Greenville Triumph professional soccer team to introduce the Triumph Taproom at GSP.

The Triumph Taproom is only the second soccer-themed restaurant and bar located in a North American airport, following City Pub at Orlando International Airport (MCO).

The Triumph Taproom is the result of a partnership between GSP and the Greenville Triumph soccer team that began on the pitch and has continued into the airport.

This new dining concept will offer hearty dishes and game-time favorites alongside a selection of craft beers, including local favorites from the Thomas Creek Brewery.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Greenville Triumph to open this unique local dining concept at GSP," said Dave Edwards, President and CEO of the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District.

“This concept is the result of over a year of planning and we are confident that residents and visitors alike will revel in the opportunity to celebrate the region’s passion for the beautiful game.”

The menu includes classic pub fare such as beer-battered golden cod fillets and Bavarian soft pretzel sticks served with honey mustard and queso, along with specialty soccer-themed cocktails such as the Yellow Card and the Goalkeeper.

Triumph Taproom is operated in cooperation with Metz Culinary Management, which operates three other restaurants at GSP, including The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck, RJ Rockers Flight Room, and Chick-fil-A.

The restaurant is located post-security on Concourse A and is open seven days a week from 4:30 a.m. until the last departure.

SOS Care Expands Housing Community for Adults With Autism in Conway

SOS Care, a nonprofit and developer of Oak Tree Farm, announced the expansion of its 130-unit affordable housing community for adults with autism and intellectual disabilities in Conway, South Carolina.

As the statewide leader in community-based supportive housing, SOS Care has been developing this property since it purchased the 10-acre tract in 2018. Following the opening of a transition home in 2021, three additional apartment buildings welcomed new residents in April 2024.

With the addition of 75 new residents, SOS Care announced the launch of its Ally Program and invites community members to become Allies to these new residents.

This program aims to facilitate the integration of adults with disabilities into a new independent lifestyle, providing them with the necessary support and opportunities to thrive.

The Ally Program at Oak Tree Farm pairs adults with disabilities with community members who can offer guidance, answer questions, and provide support as they transition to independent living.

This initiative ensures safe and affordable housing while helping residents develop essential daily life skills. Through the program, adults with disabilities are empowered to explore new opportunities beyond minimum-wage jobs or reliance on SSI.

SOS Care is headquartered in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, with programs in Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Charleston, Dorchester, Greenville, and Florence counties.

Explaining IRS Mediation, Also Known as Alternative Dispute Resolution

Mediation – also known as Alternative Dispute Resolution – can help taxpayers resolve tax issues early and efficiently.

The process provides taxpayers with a faster, more collaborative and cost-effective approach to case resolution. The traditional appeal process is still available for taxpayers who choose it.

Mediation might be right for a taxpayer if:

• The taxpayer wants to resolve the dispute at the earliest possible stage of their audit.
• The taxpayer doesn’t have many disputed issues.
• The taxpayer gave the IRS information to support their position.
• The IRS is still considering the taxpayer’s case and issues remain unresolved.

Mediation is:

• Voluntary for both parties.
• Nonbinding, meaning each party retains 100% control over whether to settle the case. No one can force either party to do something they don’t agree to do.
• Effective when both parties have a desire to resolve the disputed issue.
• Appropriate when all issues are fully resolved except the issue for which mediation is requested.
• A chance to avoid a lengthy appeal process or costly litigation.

Mediation is not:

• Required by either party.
• A replacement for the audit or collection process.
• A process in which the parties in the dispute offer arguments directly to the mediator hoping to “win.”
• Effective if either party believes the only way the dispute will get resolved is if the other party concedes or gives up on its position.
• A time to present new information or raise new issues.
• An opportunity to try and get a more favorable outcome or delay the examination or collection process.

Find out what to expect from the Independent Office of Appeals.

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