Conway, the county seat of Horry County, sits just 16 feet above sea level on the Coastal Plain, about 14 miles inland from the Atlantic. Downtown lies where a creek called Kingston Lake meets the Waccamaw, which then winds south toward the Pee Dee River and Winyah Bay. That setting gives the city its Riverwalk and its historic downtown, and it also means slow-moving river floods can follow a hurricane by days.
Fire & Water Energy is a referral service; independent companies do the actual restoration. Call (866) 937-3230 and we will try to reach an independent restoration contractor who serves Conway, based on who is available at the time. Read how it works or our referral disclosure to learn more.
The Waccamaw, Florence and a decade of tropical systems
During Hurricane Florence, the Waccamaw at Conway crested at 22.1 feet on September 26, 2018, beating the 19.1-foot record set after Hurricane Matthew two years earlier. Some homes along SC Highway 905 had about five feet of water inside, and the city was under overnight curfews.
Horry County has been part of eleven FEMA major disaster declarations since 2000. Tropical events dominate the list: Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Frances in 2004, Hurricane Matthew (DR-4286) in 2016, Hurricane Irma in 2017, Hurricane Florence (DR-4394) in 2018, Hurricane Dorian in 2019, Hurricane Ian in 2022 and Tropical Storm Debby (DR-4835) in 2024. The county also appears in the 2015 Severe Storms and Flooding declaration and in ice and winter storm declarations from 2004 and 2014.
Everyday leaks and water damage restoration in Conway
With hot, humid summers and mild winters, air conditioning runs for much of the year, and clogged condensate drains, sweating ducts and leaking air handlers are common. Roofs take a beating from tropical downpours, while plumbing failures under sinks, behind washing machines and at water heaters can happen in any season.
Water damage restoration in Conway usually means stopping the source, pumping or extracting standing water, testing moisture in walls and floors and drying with commercial equipment. Larger losses may require emergency water removal before drying can even begin.
Federal disaster declarations that included Horry County
FEMA records show Horry County was included in 11 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (7 hurricane, 2 severe ice storm, 1 tropical storm, 1 flood, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Conway was affected. The most recent:
- 2024 – Tropical Storm Debby (DR-4835)
- 2022 – Hurricane Ian (DR-4677)
- 2019 – Hurricane Dorian (DR-4464)
- 2018 – Hurricane Florence (DR-4394)
- 2017 – Hurricane Irma (DR-4346)
- 2016 – Hurricane Matthew (DR-4286)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Conway?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Conway property.
Rising river water and post-hurricane flood cleanup
River flooding along the Waccamaw tends to rise slowly and linger, which means water may sit in a building for days. That extended soaking pushes moisture high into drywall and deep into subfloors, and the water itself often carries sewage, fuel and debris.
A contractor doing flood damage restoration commonly removes drywall above the water line, pulls out insulation and flooring, cleans and disinfects framing and dries the structure thoroughly before rebuilding. If sewage backed up into the home, sewage cleanup calls for protective equipment and careful disposal.
Fire and smoke damage in river-town homes
House fires here start the same way they do elsewhere: cooking, electrical problems, dryer lint and heating equipment on the few truly cold nights. Once floodwater has reached outlets or wiring, have an electrician check the system before power is restored, since water-damaged electrical components can also start fires.
Fire damage restoration often includes board-up, soot cleaning, odor treatment and drying out water from firefighting. Ask the contractor how they will document contents and which items are realistically salvageable.
Mold after flooding in a humid Coastal Plain climate
Low elevation, heavy humidity and long warm seasons make mold one of the biggest secondary problems after any Conway flood or leak. Materials that stay wet more than a day or two, especially after river water has receded, can grow visible mold quickly.
EPA guidance says homeowners can usually handle mold areas smaller than roughly 10 square feet. After floodwater, or when growth is widespread, mold remediation with containment, HEPA filtration and source removal is the safer option.
Before, during and after the water rises in Conway
- Call 911 for emergencies, including people stranded by water, fire or a gas leak.
- Use Horry County Emergency Management's Know Your Zone and evacuation information, and sign up for its Code Red alerts.
- Watch river gauge readings; the Waccamaw can keep rising after rain stops.
- Do not drive through flooded roads; depth and current are hard to judge.
- Photograph damage and keep receipts, then contact your agent. Coverage depends on your policy, and rising river water is generally covered only by flood insurance.
See more of the state on our South Carolina service areas page.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around Conway that callers often mention include:
- Conway Downtown Historic District
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Conway):
- Socastee · 11 mi
- Myrtle Beach · 14 mi
- Red Hill · 17 mi
- Garden City · 17 mi
- Murrells Inlet · 20 mi
- North Myrtle Beach · 21 mi
Conway restoration FAQs
Why does Conway sometimes flood days after a hurricane has passed?
Rain that falls upstream drains into the Waccamaw over several days, so the river can keep rising long after the storm moves on. After Florence in 2018, the river crested on September 26, well after landfall.
How high did the Waccamaw get during Florence and Matthew?
It reached 22.1 feet at Conway during Florence in 2018, exceeding the previous record of 19.1 feet set after Matthew. Knowing those numbers can help you judge how close your property came to the water.
Where can I get flood and evacuation alerts for Horry County?
Horry County Emergency Management lists its Code Red notification service, Know Your Zone evacuation information, river gauges and NOAA Weather Radio among its resources. Check its website before and during storm season.
Can you help homeowners in Socastee or Forestbrook too?
Both are nearby, and we can try to connect you with an independent contractor who serves your address. Coverage depends on what providers are available at the time you call.
Is Fire & Water Energy the business that will clean up my home?
No. We are a referral service. Call (866) 937-3230 and we will try to connect you with an independent restoration contractor, who handles the assessment and the work.
Restoration guides
- Flood Damage Restoration
- Water Damage Restoration
- Emergency Water Removal
- Sewage Cleanup
- Fire Damage Restoration
- Mold Remediation