MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) -- Hotel owners and tourism promoters along South Carolina's Grand Strand are concerned about new hurricane evacuation plans, which take into account storm surge and include areas not previously part of such plans.
The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reported that tourism promoters aren't such how the first overhaul to the plan in at least 20 years will affect tourism. The plan also eliminates voluntary evacuations -- if the governor orders an evacuation, it will be mandatory.
Oceana Resorts owner Frans Mustert says the previous system worked well, adding that the new plan could devastate tourism.
The new system takes into account storm intensity and surge, leading to new areas being added.
Grand Strand hotels lost $30 million in August 2004 because of the mandatory evacuation for Hurricane Charley.
Information from: The Sun News, http://www.thesunnews.com/
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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