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HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (BFMG) — A series of mysterious drone sightings along the Grand Strand on Thursday night has left residents puzzled and local leaders calling for more oversight of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Reports of drones flying over neighborhoods and waterways came from multiple areas, including Carolina Forest, Cherry Grove, and Murrells Inlet. Residents shared videos and voiced their concerns about the unknown aircraft, which were described as having bright lights and, in some cases, being unusually large.
Stephanie Diane, a resident of Carolina Forest, captured footage of four drones hovering over her neighborhood. “I’ve never seen anything like this before,” Diane said. “It’s unsettling to think about what they might be doing or why they’re here.”
In Cherry Grove, Sarah Campbell reported seeing a massive drone accompanied by two smaller drones near her home. “It was the size that caught me off guard,” Campbell said. “It didn’t look like a hobbyist’s drone, and the way it moved made me wonder who or what was controlling it.”
Horry County Police confirmed they received a call from Murrells Inlet on Thursday night about drones with bright lights flying over the water.
We found video posted to Facebook of a Surfside resident of Myrtle Beach who posted her sighting. The drone zips across the night sky as it’s lights beam in what appears to be red on one side and green on the other. Commenters said on Friday that they are present again on Friday night and are swarming the skies.
Calls for Explanation
State Representative William Bailey, who represents Horry County, spoke to WPDE where he acknowledged the public’s unease, emphasizing the importance of identifying what’s flying over people’s homes.
“I hope that they’re not some notorious type situation that’s going to hurt the public, but it could be just someone who’s a hobbyist,” Bailey said. “If so, then we definitely at some point have to come up with a plan to get a grip on that, because we can’t have those type things that are unknown. We need to know what’s going on.”
Bailey said the issue extends beyond local or state jurisdiction, calling for federal regulations to address the growing concerns surrounding drones.
Agency Response
The U.S. military is addressing recent unidentified drone sightings near sensitive sites in New Jersey with caution due to stringent legal constraints. Despite public calls for immediate action, including shooting down these drones, the military’s response is limited by laws that restrict such measures to prevent potential collateral damage. Investigations by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security have found that many reported sightings are actually manned aircraft operating lawfully.
The Pentagon has introduced a new Strategy for Countering Unmanned Systems to tackle emerging drone threats, but emphasizes that any aggressive actions must comply with existing legal frameworks specified through extensive reporting from WIRED.
Flight Safety Concern
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates drone use in the United States. Under FAA rules, drones must remain in the operator’s line of sight, fly no higher than 400 feet, avoid airport airspace, and not pose hazards to people or property.
Despite these regulations, unregulated drone activity can pose significant risks, particularly to aviation and public safety. Drones mistaken for larger aircraft or other flying objects could lead to near-miss incidents with airplanes. In recent years, drone sightings near airports have resulted in flight delays and heightened safety measures.
Public reaction to the sightings has also raised concerns. Social media posts in local forums suggest frustration and fear, with some users hinting at potentially shooting down drones they encounter. Experts warn against such actions, emphasizing that shooting at drones is illegal and could endanger bystanders.
“Taking matters into your own hands is not the answer,” Bailey cautioned. “We need to address these concerns through proper channels and work together to ensure public safety.”
In recent news a JetBlue Airways flight attendant was injured when an airplane was riddled with bullets departing Port-au-Prince bound to New York, resulting in restrictions below 10,000 feet and all commercial flights grounded at the Louverture International Airport.
Recent drone sightings have New York’s LaGuardia Airport under watch after multiple reports of drones hovering throughout airspace were seen in the sky according to Inside Edition.
By Thursday evening, the New York City Emergency Management Department posted on X it was aware of unconfirmed reports of drones flying over LaGuardia, but stated it had not gotten any official reports of drone activity.
“NYCEM is monitoring the situation and working with relevant agencies to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers,” the agency stated.
The rattling first known sighting involved multiple drones spotted flying near Clarke Place West and Jerome Ave. in the Bronx around 5:30 a.m., a law enforcement source told the Daily News.
A user posted a video to YouTube of air traffic communications from the Oregon coast where several pilots reported flight interference from multiple crafts and were instructed to manually maneuver around them in an attempt to avoid the unknown crafts.
Pilots sound stunned as they report the lights as red and green and say that they zip across the sky at a “super-sonic rates of speed towards the ocean about 20 miles away before zipping back into their paths around 14,000 feet.
FAA Response
ABC15 reached out to the FAA to inquire about the reported drone activity. In a statement, the agency reiterated that individuals are permitted to fly drones as long as they adhere to established guidelines. The FAA did not confirm whether it was investigating the specific sightings along the Grand Strand.
Growing Concern
As drone technology becomes more accessible, incidents like the ones reported Thursday highlight the need for clear communication and enforcement of regulations. Residents are asking for transparency about drone activity, whether it’s commercial, recreational, or something else entirely.
“We’re not trying to be alarmist,” Campbell said. “But when you see something so out of the ordinary, you can’t help but wonder what’s going on.”
For now, the mystery of the drones remains unsolved, leaving many to hope that federal and local authorities can work together to address this growing issue.
Anyone with information about the drone sightings is encouraged to contact the Horry County Police Department. You can also upload photos or videos of your drone sightings to us below.
