GEORGETOWN, S.C. — The extremely high heat, which continued to bring heat advisories this week, did not stop the flow of people working and vacationing in Georgetown and Pawleys Island.

The temperatures were steamy, in the upper 90s, with a heat index of around 111 by late Monday afternoon.

From the fishermen on the North Causeway to people going about their daily business of painting and delivering packages, the heat turned out to be a factor in how they were scheduling their day.

For Bill Burbage of Pawleys Island, the high temperatures caused him to stop painting in the middle of the day.

Burbage, who was working at JD’s Steakhouse, said the paint wouldn’t go on correctly in extremely high heat, so he tried to work in the early mornings and late afternoon.

“At above 90 degrees, you shouldn’t be painting anyway,’’ he said.

Restaurant owner Frank DePalma said there are some outside tables at the restaurant, but customers were avoiding them.

“Right now, we have people staying inside,’’ he said.

Beachgoers stay inside

The heat also drove beachgoers inside early Monday and they said they had plans to stay there throughout the afternoon.

“You just stay in your gowntail or your bathing suit,” said Julie Buford, who was staying at her family’s beach home, the Bolick House, on Pawleys Island.

“It’s hot. We just try to get our cooking done early in the morning.”

Alyssa Buford said she hit the beach early, but returned to the beach house by noon. Sunday’s temperatures were even hotter than Monday, she said.

“I think we’re going to go back later,’’ she said.

Meanwhile, fishermen on the North Causeway didn’t let the heat stop them from casting a line.

Lucy Crosby, who just arrived in Pawleys Island, said she braved the heat because she “loves to fish.”

“Being out here makes you sweat and that makes it worse,’’ she said. “But if you love fishing like I do, it doesn’t matter.”

“I’m flounder fishing and the flounder will bring us out here,’’ said Richard Hammond of Murrells Inlet. “I’m just drinking water and I take my shirt off and take it easy.”

Heat advisories were issued Monday for Georgetown County, according to the National Weather Service.

On Sunday, excessive heat warnings covered Horry, Georgetown and Williamburg counties, as well as other nearby counties.

Excessive heat warnings haven’t been issued for the Carolinas for the past several years, according to forecasters.

An excessive heat warning means the heat index goes beyond 110 for at least two hours, forecasters said.

By Kelly Marshall Fuller

Kfuller@gtowntimes.com