Murrells Inlet grew up as a fishing village on a tidal salt marsh at the northern tip of Georgetown County, and it still calls itself the Seafood Capital of South Carolina. The community stretches along US 17 about 13 miles south of Myrtle Beach, with the half-mile Marshwalk boardwalk on the water side and Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park to the south. With nearly 9,750 residents in 2020, an elevation of around 23 feet and many homes facing the marsh, it is now as much a retirement and vacation community as a working harbor.
For a free referral, call (888) 317-9980 at any hour. We will put you in touch with an independent restoration provider that works in Murrells Inlet; the provider handles the job and sets its own terms.
How the call works: when you call (888) 317-9980, The Restoration Job connects you with an independent restoration provider that serves Murrells Inlet. That provider inspects the damage, explains the scope and quotes the work. The Restoration Job doesn't perform restoration itself. Read our referral disclosure.
Surge in the Marsh: Matthew and Ian
The inlet that gives the community its name also lets storm surge in. During Hurricane Matthew in October 2016, the National Weather Service in Wilmington documented surge that heavily damaged the first floor of a home on South Waccamaw Drive in the Murrells Inlet area. Six years later, when Hurricane Ian made landfall near Georgetown on September 30, 2022, surge flooded the Marshwalk and marina area, and a weather station in Murrells Inlet recorded a minimum pressure of 978.7 millibars. In nearby Garden City Beach, Ian breached dunes and buried parked cars under up to three feet of sand on South Waccamaw Drive.
Not every big storm brings water in. Reports from Murrells Inlet after Hurricane Florence in 2018 indicated no significant damage. The lesson is that impact depends on each storm's track and timing with the tide, so preparation has to assume the bad case.
Marsh-Front Homes, Docks and Salt Water
Salt water does more harm than rain. It soaks into drywall, insulation and wood, leaves salt that keeps pulling moisture from the air, and corrodes electrical components, HVAC equipment and appliances. After surge reaches a ground floor or a lower enclosure, expect a crew to remove wet carpet, pad, insulation and the lower section of drywall, wash down framing and then dry it thoroughly. Any outlets, wiring or equipment that sat in salt water should be checked by a qualified electrician or technician before use.
Effective flood cleanup here also means dealing with marsh mud and debris carried inside, which can hold contamination well after the water drains away.
Building Back Under Georgetown County Flood Rules
Murrells Inlet is unincorporated, so building permits and floodplain rules come from Georgetown County. The county's flood ordinance requires an elevation certificate to properly rate post-FIRM buildings and to obtain a building permit in a special flood hazard area. The county also points property owners to an online flood map portal for unincorporated areas where you can check your zone. Before major repairs after a flood, confirm with the county what permits are needed, and keep your elevation certificate with your insurance records.
- Photograph damage before removal and keep samples of flooring and cabinets if your adjuster has not visited yet.
- Record the water line height in each room.
- Ask the restoration provider for moisture logs to support your claim.
Retirement and Rental Homes: Catching Leaks Early
Between storms, the most common calls involve ordinary plumbing: a failed water heater, an ice maker line, an AC condensate drain that clogs and overflows into a hall ceiling. In homes used as rentals or second residences, those leaks can run for days unnoticed. Shut-off valves, leak sensors near water heaters and a regular check by a neighbor or manager go a long way. When a leak is found, structural drying with dehumidifiers and air movers can often save walls and floors that would otherwise need replacing.
Mold in a Salt-Marsh Climate
Murrells Inlet averages around 80 degrees in July, and the marsh keeps the air heavy with moisture through much of the year. That combination means damp materials grow mold quickly once the HVAC stops running, whether from a power outage after a storm or a home closed for the season. Mold removal should be paired with finding and fixing the moisture source and drying the structure, or growth tends to come back. If you return to a closed-up home and smell mustiness, have it checked before redecorating.
Areas In and Around Murrells Inlet
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
- Garden City
- Surfside Beach
- Pawleys Island
- Litchfield Beach
- Socastee
- Georgetown
Murrells Inlet Water Damage Questions
Is flood insurance worth having in Murrells Inlet?
Homeowners insurance generally excludes storm surge and rising water, which are exactly the threats Matthew and Ian brought to the marsh side of the community. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private carrier is the only way to cover that loss. Georgetown County uses elevation certificates to rate post-FIRM buildings in flood hazard areas, so having one on hand helps when shopping for a policy.
Saltwater got into my ground floor. Can anything be saved?
Solid wood furniture, metal items and some hard surfaces can often be cleaned and kept. Porous materials such as carpet, pad, insulation and drywall that soaked in surge water are usually removed. Call (888) 317-9980 and we will connect you with an independent provider serving Murrells Inlet who can sort salvageable items from losses and document everything for your claim.
Who handles permits for flood repairs in Murrells Inlet?
Because Murrells Inlet is unincorporated, Georgetown County handles building permits and floodplain administration. Contact the county before starting major reconstruction, especially if the home is in a special flood hazard area, since an elevation certificate is required there for a building permit. Restoration work such as extraction and drying can usually begin right away to limit further damage.