Flood Costs & Wetlands: A new study says upstream wetland destruction since the 1980s has driven up flood insurance payments for South Carolina coastal homeowners, with major impacts flagged around Charleston County and Myrtle Beach. Hurricane Readiness: Dorchester County hosted a big hurricane expo to help residents prepare, with a focus on inland flooding risks and hands-on emergency response training. Waterway Wildlife: A manatee was spotted in the Waccamaw River near the Conway marina, and SCDNR says sightings are rising as more manatees move through connected waterways. Coastal Ecology & Development: A pipeline company filed court petitions seeking survey access for a proposed natural gas pipeline tied to a new Colleton County power plant, drawing opposition over property impacts and the ACE Basin watershed. Heat & Air Quality: South Carolina is heading into hotter weather with humidity building and air quality alerts in the region, while scattered storms remain possible. Public Safety: Rabies was confirmed in a skunk (Greenwood County) and a raccoon (Orangeburg County), prompting calls to avoid contact and report potential exposures. Local Infrastructure: Highway 17 widening in Myrtle Beach is nearing completion, with added storm drains and lane expansion work continuing into late 2026.