8 firsthand accounts of UFO sightings in Horry County

8 firsthand accounts of UFO sightings in Horry County

Braley Dodson

“I frequent airshows,” one entry reads. “I am a fan of military aviation, and I can identify aircraft as I see them fly over. Not being able to explain this is irritating to me. I do not believe in UFOs. I still don’t. However, there is video footage online that is very similar to what I saw.”

Dozens of encounters in the Grand Strand have been recorded in the database, with 66 entries since 2019. Some sightings may be attributed to space launches, fireworks or drones, but we’ll let you decide.

Here are some tales of UFO encounters over the last few years in the area. Summaries have been edited for length and clarity...

These Are the Counties With the Most UFO Sightings

Sarah Burns

24/7 Tempo has identified the counties with the most UFO sightings per capita, based on data provided by Cheryl Costa and Linda Miller, authors of "UFO Sightings Desk Reference: United States of America 2001-2020." The data shows the relative likelihood of county residents reporting UFO sightings. (Population figures come from the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.)

A number of factors influence the number of sightings, including population, geography, climate, and weather. Reporting is facilitated by access to broadband, and media reports may create a feedback loop: high-profile incidents, such as when airline pilots report being buzzed by fast-moving objects, are often followed by a rash of sightings. (Here is why scientists think there is life on other planets.)

Horry County, South Carolina leads the country in UFO sightings, with 254.1 per 100,000 residents. That makes sense as it’s home to Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, the cities with the most per capita sightings.