Tropical Storm Milton to impact the Myrtle Beach, SC area. Here’s what to expect

Three hurricanes could bring strong winds and rip currents to the Myrtle Beach area this week as the ocean — and residents — feel the impacts.

The beaches could have rough surf starting on Sunday and lasting through the week as various hurricanes and tropical storms make their way through the Atlantic Ocean, National Weather Service Meteorologist Steve Pfaff said.

Hurricanes Kirk and Leslie, which are far away in the Atlantic Ocean and will not directly hit the Myrtle Beach area. But starting on Sunday, they’ll bring rough surf to the beaches. This includes an increased risk of strong rip current.

Later in the week, the area will start to see effects from Tropical Storm Milton, which is currently in the Gulf of Mexico, according to Pfaff. As of Sunday morning, Milton is a tropical storm but is expected to become a major hurricane by the time it makes landfall in Florida on Tuesday.

Milton will travel across Florida and end up in the Atlantic Ocean around Thursday. Myrtle Beach has a high pressure cold front moving from the north that should keep the warm tropical storm away.

But with Milton in the ocean, the increased rip currents will continue, Pfaff said.

The Myrtle Beach area will likely not see rain from Milton but with the warm and cold fronts, the beaches could be windy.

Pfaff urges people to stay safe and be cautious of the surf.

“People need to be careful and watch the flags,” he said.