Chimney Sweep in Folly Beach, SC

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - Early-morning heavy rainfall on Saturday on Folly Beach caused flooding and road closures.

“It was really coming down this morning. We were on the way to surf this morning and they canceled our surf class and the yoga sessions we were going to go to,” Kieran O’Riley said.

“Me and my brother woke up early this morning to go surf and we walked downstairs and, on the bottom, where we keep our surfboards, they’re floating in the water,” Walk Jackson said.

Residential streets between Eighth and Third Streets were closed due to the flooding.

“There’s all this massive water in front of these homes where people can’t even get into their driveways, can’t get up to their stairs. It’s been two to three feet in areas,” Shea Cannon said.

Center Street between Ashley and Arctic Avenues also experienced heavy flooding and the intersection was closed this morning, but is now reopened.

“We ended up walking through mid-calf-length water to get to Rita’s.” Laura Lagrone said.

The Sand Dollar Social Club, a Folly Beach restaurant, was fully flooded and had to postpone opening.

“It was all the way up to here, probably up to my waist. People were walking in it knee-deep.” Dondre Williams said.

Sand Dollar says despite the flooding, the city is moving toward fixing the drainage system and flood risk in the area.

“I’m tired of walking with my surfboard a mile and a half to get to the spot. So hopefully the drainage on the roads is a little better.” Walker Jackson said.

The city of Folly Beach has now started the Folly Beach Center Street Stormwater Improvement Project.

The goal is to improve drainage and reduce current flooding in the area, as well as increase the capacity of the stormwater system.

“Hopefully, Charleston and Folly Beach can all come together and work on solutions to the flooding,” O’Riley said.

FOLLY BEACH — A couple hundred people crowded on the beach, hoping to catch a glimpse of five sea turtles being released into the ocean.

The South Carolina Aquarium on Aug. 27 released five juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtles — named Seashore Mallow, Sunflower, Marigold, Hyacinth and Sweet Caroline — after rehabilitation.

All five were admitted to the aquarium’s Sea Turtle Care Center this summer, rescued from being caught on fishhooks.

Melissa Ranly, sea turtle care center manager, said the turtles’ injuries and recovery were not complicated because veterinarian staff were able to remove the hooks quickly.

Seven-year-old Haddi Edwardson grinned ear to ear as she walked down the beach with a sign reading, “Safe swimming, Sweet Caroline.” Haddi was accompanying an aquarium employee carrying Sweet Caroline, a juvenile Kemp’s ridley.

Jennifer Edwardson, Haddi’s mother, said her daughter was invited to the turtle release after she raised and donated $500 to the care center. Haddi said she hopes to raise $1,000 next year.

Several “awws” rippled through the crowd as children watched aquarium staff carry the turtles to the ocean. A few people started singing the chorus of “Sweet Caroline” as the turtle with the same name approached the water.

The care center, which has been the home to hundreds of sea turtles, was created in 2017 when the aquarium decided to expand its turtle program. It’s the only sea turtle hospital in South Carolina, so the aquarium takes in turtles from all along the coast. Three of the five released Aug. 27 came from the Myrtle Beach area.

In March 2024, the aquarium celebrated its 400th sea turtle release since the care center was established. Seashore Mallow, Sunflower, Marigold, Hyacinth and Sweet Caroline’s release brings the total to 472.

Ranly said releasing the turtles is always bittersweet. While letting the turtles go back into their natural habitat is the goal, the staff do end up bonding with the turtles and get attached, she said.

A photo ofFolly Beach as the waves rise from Hurricane Erin offshore. Aug.18, 2025. (WCIV)

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCIV) — Though Charleston won't see the direct impact from Hurricane Erin, the waters off the coast aren't smooth sailing.

At Folly Beach, people enjoyed the sunny Monday. But the waters may turn a bit more aggressive by Tuesday, with the major Hurricane Erin forecasted to turn north, passing between the Outer Banks and Bermuda.

“I just want to mention to everybody, as we go through this entire week, beach hazards are going to be a problem," said Brian Haines, the National Weather Service Charleston’s meteorologist in charge.

Hazards include high surf and rip currents, coastal flooding, and beach erosion. And with this strong storm, the ocean can be a dangerous place – even over 500 miles away.

“When we talk about these bigger waves, it makes disorientation really easy," Haines said. "Swimming gets exponentially harder, and then as rip currents form along the coast, it becomes that much stronger because that wave energy is that much larger with this system.”

Rip currents can make the ocean a dangerous place, even for advanced swimmers.

“These are going to be really dangerous days just because we are not normally used to that here," Haines said. "And when you hop into that water, I think if you're not ready, it might catch you off guard. We definitely don't want that. We want people to stay safe this week.”

Experienced surfers in the area acknowledge the risk. The water conditions will remain top of mind if they choose to go out and hunt the waves.

Surfer Chris is from California and has been surfing since he was 13 years old.

“Erin is coming in as a hurricane, and it's bringing in a tropical swell, which is good for experienced surfers," Chris said. "But if you're not experienced, then it's a little dangerous because once you get up to five to eight and even eight to 12, it is more likely than not that you could possibly drown if you're not experienced.”

They say to be prepared before coming out to surf. There is now an app, Surfline, that allows riders to check the status of the waves before heading out to sea.

"We try to assess it even before we get the boards out of the truck," said Jay, another surfer on the beach. "We literally looked at the water first to see if it was even worth it or not. But even doing that, don't go set out to surf and definitely fall under your means. Don't try to do anything crazy.”

Another tip is to never surf alone, especially in these conditions.

“We ended up surfing all the way over there, and we didn't even know it," Jay said, "so I had to walk a couple of blocks just to get back to our other boards.”

Even those who have surfed their entire lives are taking precautions if they get caught in the waves.

"So if you can find the flatter spots where they're not really breaking as hard, you can try to get in there, find some white water that's really pushing you and just paddle hard," said Luke, a surfer from Virginia Beach. "That's about it. You gotta get out.”

While Hurricane Erin challenges the waves near Charleston County, safety will remain a top priority for all near the water.

Inside: Local mom visits Folly Beach, SC, and has all the tips for your next trip there!

Have you visited Folly Beach, SC? No matter what kind of beach trip you are looking for, you can find it on the barrier islands of Charleston, South Carolina. Folly Beach is your best bet for the perfect mix of relaxing beaches and spots to dine. Folly Island is 18 square miles of sand and sun and offers a beach town vibe just 20 minutes from the tourist attractions of Charleston.

Folly Island On The Coast Of South Carolina

The beaches of the Low Country offer something for everyone when it comes to a beach trip. For a quiet, non-commercialized beach experience, Kiawah Island’s Beach Walker Park is my go-to option. However, if a tourist-heavy, commercialized expertise is what you seek, Isle Of Palms fits the bill.

If a sandy spot somewhere in the middle of both is what you want, then the beaches of Folly Island are perfect. They are family-friendly, quiet, and some access points have restrooms and showers for beachgoers to use. The downtown area of Folly Island offers a funky beach town vibe that’s solidified its place in the history of the SC coast.

Where to Stay Near Folly Beach, SC

This Stay 22 Map contains affiliate links that will help you find the perfect place to stay near Folly Beach!

Accessing The Beach On Folly Island

Wondering where the Folly Beach public access is? Or where the Folly Beach bathrooms are located? With six miles of shoreline, there’s no shortage of sand to spread out on when visiting Folly Beach. Finding beach access isn’t difficult, but depending on your family’s needs, one access might be more suitable than another.

Located on the southern tip of Folly Island, the county park offers families all of the amenities they might need including showers, restrooms, a seasonal concession stand, seasonal lifeguards, and chair rentals.

The parking fees range from $5-$25, depending on the season, and are $25 on weekends and summer holidays. Park gates are open from 8 am to sunset.

The Folly Beach Ocean Park is located at the end of West Arctic Avenue. It offers beachgoers restroom and shower facilities that are free and open to the public (currently only open during the summer.)

At the end of nearly every block on the island, there is a beach access pathway. Some spots include parking if space permits, otherwise you can park streetside.

The further you drive away from the pier, the less the metered parking costs. By quite a bit. If you aren’t trying to be right next to the pier and center street, drive a few miles north to find cheaper meter rates. The parking meter fees can be paid through a kiosk, or with the PARK Folly Beach app.

The centerpiece of Folly Island is the Folly Beach Pier. The pier was recently renovated. Amenities at Folly Beach Pier include the gift shop, restrooms, showers, changing rooms, and wheelchair beach access.

The Pier 101 Restaurant is open daily from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm, and offers seafood, sandwiches, and more!

Swimming is permitted on the beach that flanks the sides of the pier, however, the undertow can become dangerous near the pier causing unsafe conditions. Also, people throw baited hooks off of that pier looking to catch “a big un”. I don’t know about you, but I would prefer not to be swimming near where people are reeling in jaws.

The parking fees range from $5-$25, depending on the season, and are $25 on weekends and summer holidays. Pier hours vary by season, so be sure to check the park’s site before venturing out.

Places To Eat On Folly Island

There are plenty of spots to choose from when it comes to meals on Folly Island. These are just a few of our favorites when we head out to spend the day on Folly Beach.

Ameri-mex style food with a kid’s menu, and a full bar. Great spot for nachos and margs after a day on the beach.

The perfect spot for breakfast or brunch, The Lost Dog has sandwiches, burgers, breakfast (all day), and more.

Saint James Gate Proper Irish Pub & Three Monkey’s Ice CreamThe menu here has a little bit of everything, including tacos. It’s kid & dog-friendly! Plus they have some delicious dessert options.

The Pineapple HutIf you spend any time on Folly Island, you are bound to see people walking down the street with a pineapple in their hands. This food truck is where it came from, filled with Dole Whip, or one of their weekly special flavors of soft-serve style ice cream. (March through November).

If you want to extend your trip, head over to Mount Pleasant for a bunch of free things to do while you’re there!

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Folly Beach’s paid parking lots could soon see a rate hike, as the city council will consider new rates at a meeting Tuesday night.

City officials say the proposed prices would align them more with neighboring communities.

City Administrator Aaron Pope said rates at the lots have not been adjusted in several years. The city’s goal is to disperse traffic and congestion and increase turnover in paid parking lots closest to the commercial districts of the island.

The proposed rates are as follows:

Pope said that while the flat rates for parking lots could be rising, you can still park at about 3,000 free spaces on the island.

If adopted, these parking rates would go into effect 90 days after the date of ratification of the resolution.

Parking citations may also be changing. Pope said that while all parking tickets are always appealable through the city court, the procedure could change. The ticket would not have the court date to appeal on it, and instead offer an opportunity for another step if you believe you were wrongfully ticketed.

“The parking contractor is authorized to cancel a ticket if they transposed their license plate; if it is not their car, the parking contractor does make mistakes on tickets. We offer people a chance to call the contractor first and say, ‘Hey, I have a receipt, I paid that box, this ticket is valid.’ If the contractor reviews it and it was issued an error, they can drop it,” Pope said.

Pope said that aside from these potential changes in the future, they plan to request the South Carolina Department of Transportation change parking meter rates from the current $2.50 an hour to $3 an hour for on-street parking rates. He encouraged residents and the public to attend work sessions and council meetings to learn more or give their input. The latest meetings can be found here.

The city council also plans to review the progress of the City of Folly Beach and SCDOT Road Safety Coordination projects. It includes a variety of projects, with many in the works for several years.

One project is the potential for a pedestrian scramble at the city’s only traffic light intersection. It would be at the intersection of Center Street and Ashley Avenue. It would allow pedestrians to cross diagonally through the center along with the traditional crosswalks. Cars and pedestrians would alternate with vehicles all fully stopped while pedestrians cross and vice versa.

Andrea Weathers is a long-time resident of Folly Beach, and she advocates for having a pedestrian scramble at that intersection due to increasing traffic and the need to prioritize pedestrian safety. She believes it could reduce confusion for pedestrians and drivers with the correct signage in place.

“I travel that intersection every day, and I travel that intersection every day multiple times, and I’m also a pedestrian. I see the problems with the pedestrians not knowing they have to press the button. Then I see, as a driver having to wait for those same pedestrians to cross the road in front of me, they want to try to make a right turn, and they’re trying to cross the road again. I see it much easier if absolutely all traffic stops and the pedestrians can walk from corner to corner,” Weathers said.

Pope said city staff met with SCDOT to review prior discussions of the pedestrian scramble at this location. SCDOT will require a traffic analysis to be conducted demonstrating the effects of a scramble on traffic volume, traffic delay and pedestrian crossings.

For a full list of other road safety projects in the works that the council will review, click here.

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