President Trump could visit Carolinas in hurricane’s aftermath

Speculation is swirling that President Donald Trump may visit the storm-ravaged Carolinas this week.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration’s website, VIP movement is expected Wednesday in Myrtle Beach.

“Pilots can expect airspace restrictions in conjunction with this VIP movement,” the FAA notice states.

A source familiar with the planning told The State Monday that Trump is set to visit North Carolina, then swing through Horry County, stopping in the Conway area.

An official with Myrtle Beach International Airport told The Sun News he wasn’t aware of the visit, but speculation started circulating Monday that the president was preparing to make a trip.

U.S. Rep. Tom Rice, R-Horry, could not confirm the speculation when The Sun News spoke to him Tuesday morning.

Flooding and downed trees from Hurricane Florence were blocking dozens of roads in and around Wilmington Monday, leaving the coastal city largely cut off from the rest of the state, according to a story from the News & Observer of Raleigh.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation on Monday tweeted the city is “inaccessible by land,” warning: “Don’t travel, let responders work.” The N.C. transportation secretary clarified later Monday that one road to Wilmington is open.

Conway and other Horry County communities near the Waccamaw River are experiencing historic flooding that’s expected to worsen over the next week.

City and county officials fear the area also may become inaccessible if the flooding reaches three feet above levels seen with Hurricane Matthew, flooding levels that forecasters are predicting.