Thursday, August 31, 2023
We are pleased to report that there are no significant damages from hurricane, now tropical storm, now out to sea, Idalia. We are happy to see her leave us!
If you see any damages at the property where you are staying, please let us know. Our team is out inspecting and going inside each and every property. However, they are starting with properties that are currently vacant and have upcoming check-in’s over the next three days. Properties that are occupied as of this writing will not be inspected until the current guests have checked out unless storm related damages are reported. Please, if you are a current guest, let us know asap if there are any storm related damages.
If you are checking in for your vacation today through Saturday, August 31 – September 2, we do not anticipate any issues. If there are any issues at any property, we will notify you in advance. There may be standing water in isolated places on roadways. Those places observed should not be an issue to traverse. One location at 1321 Ocean Blvd. West could be problematic where the water is approximately 8 inches deep in the road.
If we had it our way, all storms would impact when properties are not rented. Unfortunately, we have no choice or control in those matters. We do appreciate your patience, support, assistance during the course of this past week. These storms can be unnerving, we know firsthand from our experience over the years. We are thankful that this storm was less than forecast and that all has ended well.
Wednesday, August 30, 2023 – 12:00 pm
Effective at 12:00 noon today, the Town of Holden Beach has issued a Voluntary Evacuation Order. This order will remain in effect until such time as it is lifted/canceled by the Town of Holden Beach. For more information, follow the Town of Holden Beach website at: https://hbtownhall.com/
A Voluntary Evacuation Order is NOT mandatory so therefore does not meet the qualifications under any travel insurance provisions that might be considered for a mandatory evacuation.
In addition to other information here, we strongly encourage all of our guests to pay attention to these notices. Federal, State, and local governments are anticipating that we will begin to have winds of 50-60 MPH that will continue through Thursday afternoon. Roadway flooding in low-lying areas is expected. From experience we know that areas prone to flooding are in and along the canals, the 300, 700, and 1200 block of Ocean Blvd. West. These areas are subject to being unpassable when flooding occurs. If sustained winds reach 45 mph, the bridge will be closed until such time as the winds have subsided below 45 mph. 1-3 Feet of Storm Surge is expected. If you are staying in a property on or around the canals, please make special note as these properties may experience 2-3 feet of water on the ground level of the property. Please make preparations.
Wednesday, August 30, 2023 – 9:30 am
Idalia has made landfall with greater intensity than was anticipated in our update yesterday afternoon. With the greater intensity of Idalia, our wind forecast for Holden Beach has increased to 60-70 mph. This is subject to change as we are still some 24 hours from Idalia arriving in our area. The outer bands of rain have started here and rain intensity will continue to increase throughout the day with winds beginning to pick up later tonight. Mid-morning on Thursday is the expected arrival time of Idalia here and then should be pushed out to see by late afternoon with hopes of sunshine by 6:00 p.m. tomorrow.
Flooding is expected this evening in and along the canals and some roadways which may make some roads impassable. Please be cautious when traveling as rain will also be intense. Between midnight and noon tomorrow we will experience our most intense effects from this storm. Please stay tuned in with local weather. It is possible that electricity may go out, be prepared with flashlights. There is always temptation to go outside and even drive during the storm. Advisements are to stay sheltered in place. With the increased wind speed, there is higher probability that the bridge may be closed for a period of time until winds diminish. For those on the canals, there is a high probability of flooding in the range of 24-30 inches above the ground level. The water rises very quickly in a storm possibly at the rate of 6-12 inches in 15 minutes. Pay attention to conditions.
We will be providing an update early afternoon after an emergency scheduled meeting with town officials and their emergency team. As of late yesterday afternoon, the town’s biggest concern is the potential flooding as we have already discussed.
Please be safe and stay tuned. We will update again this afternoon.
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Idalia continues to develop, and Holden Beach will be in its path. Winds are expected to be between 50-60 mph. In these wind conditions, things that are not tied down or secure will definitely fly with the wind. Flooding is expected given the combination of King Tides and high winds 2 hours prior to and 2 hours after high tide. On Wednesday evening, high tide at the Lockwood Folly Inlet is at 7:48 p.m. On Thursday morning, the high tide is at 8:09 a.m. Given all the data with the winds and the king tides, there is risk of flooding from 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. The areas subject to this flooding are in and along any of the canals, the 300 block of Ocean Blvd and Brunswick Avenue, the 700 block of Ocean Blvd. West, and pockets of 1200/1300 block of Ocean Blvd. West. In addition to these flooding areas from the tides/winds, we are forecast to have 4-6 inches of rain between Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoon which may cause any of our roadways to have standing water. Please be cautious.
Special Alert for Canals: Based on the information above, some of the canals may flood to a depth of up to 2 feet or more in the streets. This has the potential to create major damage to vehicles.
All items should be brought in or secured on properties prior to 9:00 p.m. tonight. If you need any assistance with outside furniture, trashcans, and etc., please let us know. This storm, though not anticipated to be at hurricane strength when passing by us, is still a major threat and should not be taken lightly.
Monday, August 28, 2023
Greetings from PROACTIVE Vacations, Holden Beach, NC
If you have been following the news/weather forecasts over the weekend, you already know that we have a Tropical Storm that will impact the Holden Beach area in a few days. Idalia, which is now a tropical storm is anticipated to strengthen to hurricane strength later tonight and hit the Florida panhandle/west Florida coast Wednesday (8/30/23_ morning, move inland across Florida/Georgia, and then skirt up the coast either onshore or slightly offshore and arrive in our area early Thursday (9/1/23) morning. While it is not anticipated to be at Hurricane strength for us, we are forecast to have winds in the 50-60 MPH with potential guests higher. As well, our winds will be coming out of the north starting on Wednesday with the rain push in front of the storm, with total rainfall over Wednesday and Thursday until the storm passes being in the 4-5 inches. One other factor that we are taking into consideration is that we are in a waxing moon with full moon hitting on Wednesday/Thursday. That scenario with king tides, creates ideal conditions for flooding in and along the canals, ICWW and some sections of Brunswick Avenue and Ocean Blvd West.
We do not anticipate any type of evacuation orders. That said, it does not mitigate that storm preparations need to be made and the possibility of circumstances that could arise from this storm as follows:
- All items that might blow away from high winds needs to be secured including:
- Beach toys, boogie boards, clothes, towels, umbrellas etc. – anything personal
- Outdoor furniture will need to be turned over, stacked against railings, etc.
- Trash cans secured
- Windows locked, doors latched/locked
- There is a possibility that the bridge could be closed to traffic if winds get too high
- Low lying areas on the canals, the 300, 700, and 1300 Block of Ocean Blvd. West may flood and become impassable. The canal homes could flood the lower level especially during or up to two hours past high tide.
- Be aware that during a storm, you should stay inside.
We need your assistance with making the preparations as outlined above. If you are unable to make these preparations, please contact us and we will have one of our team members to come by and assist with anything on the outside of the property, minus your personal belongings.
The intense rains are expected on Wednesday. Our goal is to have all preparations made prior to this. We prepare for the worst conditions expected, though be on the alert that conditions are subject to change, pay attention to local news/weather during this time. The weather service that we give the most weight to in our planning is: https://spaghettimodels.com/. Again, this is not expected to bring hurricane force winds, however this storm does have enough intensity that caution needs to be exercised and preparations made.
If you have any questions, please contact our reservations team at reservations@proactivevacations.com or call us at 910-500-1400 or text to: 910-213-3336. Stay tuned to email for more updates.
We know these storms are an inconvenience from mother nature, we are thankful that it is not forecast to be any worse and that we should see sunshine skies again on Friday!
The PROACTIVE Team