PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC — Four years after Hurricane Ian tore away the end of the landmark Pawleys Island Pier, comprehensive reconstruction plans are officially moving forward to rebuild the ocean structure. With regulatory permits now finalized, demolition of the damaged remnants and site preparation are slated to begin late this fall, targeting a complete rebuild estimated for completion by February 2028.
Owned by the Pawleys Pier Village Homeowners Association, the landmark pier suffered severe structural damage on September 30, 2022, when intense storm surge tore away the eastern end and its fishing pavilion. The dramatic collapse captured regional attention as video footage circulated showing the structure washing into the ocean while an American flag continued to fly above the pavilion roof.
The Homeowners Association, alongside project engineering leads, confirmed that the replacement pier will strictly match the footprint of the original structure. According to state regulatory permits, the project is structured in three continuous spans extending out into the Atlantic: an initial 12-foot-wide section stretching roughly 194 to 196 feet from Pawleys Pier Village, a middle walkway measuring 24 to 25 feet wide and 496 feet long, and a wider terminal section measuring 116 feet long by 48 feet wide.
To address town ordinances and preserve the signature aesthetic of Pawleys Island, the exterior will feature traditional wooden timber framing and side trim. However, to guard against future storm energy, engineers are evaluating modern structural adjustments to the walking surface, including fiber-reinforced polymer grating. Ocean piers typically suffer catastrophic failure when rising storm waves create upward force against solid wooden decking, popping nails and lifting structural timbers. An engineered grating pattern allows heavy wave action and water pressure to pass through the deck surface without compromising the main support pilings below.
Local officials and project management note that driving the estimated 200 pilings into the sea floor will require temporary beach closures and staging zones near the site. Crews are coordinating closely with area environmental monitors, including local sea turtle conservation teams, to manage beach access safely and prevent interference with coastal wildlife habitats as heavy equipment moves onto the sand.
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