Myrtle Beach hotel evacuated after roof collapse. Ocean Boulevard closed to traffic

Two Myrtle Beach hotels received roof damage during Thursday’s storm, including one whose roof collapsed and was evacuated.

Myrtle Beach Fire Battalion Chief Christian Sliker said crews were dispatched to Summer Wind Inn & Suites, 1904 S. Ocean Blvd., around 10:40 a.m.

The city also learned about damage at The Beverly, 2502 N. Ocean Blvd, around the same time said Myrtle Beach Spokesperson Mark Kruea.

Ocean Boulevard is closed to motorists and pedestrians from 18th to 20th avenues, Sliker said. The road was also closed to pedestrian traffic from 24th to 26th avenues North, according to a Facebook post from the Myrtle Beach Fire Department.

The roads were closed because of flying debris.

Summer Wind Inn & Suites was evacuated and the structure was deemed unsafe, Sliker said. It is unknown how many people were in the hotel at the time. The hotel did not have an active business permit when the roof collapsed and it’s unknown if people in the building were guests or employees.

The people found at Summer Wind Inn & Suites were sent to New Directions and secured housing, Sliker said.

The Beverly’s roof membrane was torn during the storm. Kruea said he had not heard that it had been evacuated.

There was a 45 mph wind gust recorded at 10:30 a.m. in Myrtle Beach, said Bob Bright, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wilmington, North Carolina. There continued to be strong gusts of wind Thursday and that will continue into the evening.