Winter Weather Prompts Continued Preparedness in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Winter weather is expected to move into South Carolina on Saturday evening into Monday morning, bringing ice, sleet, snow and freezing temperatures. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division has raised the state’s readiness to Operating Condition 2 as the storm approaches. The move follows Gov. Henry McMaster’s declaration of a state of emergency, which activates state emergency plans and allows agencies to coordinate resources and respond quickly to county requests.

SCEMD is asking residents to prepare now to protect themselves and their families. Hazardous winter conditions can make travel dangerous, cause downed power lines, and increase the risk of cold-related injuries.

“Taking a few steps now to prepare your family, home, and vehicle can make a significant difference in staying safe when conditions worsen. Don’t wait until the storm arrives. Get ready today,” said Kim Stenson, director of the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.

Residents should continue winter safety precautions, including:

• Prepare an emergency kit with non-perishable food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, and important documents. Make sure your kit can sustain your household for at least three days.
• Be careful walking and especially driving on ice, including potential black ice.
• Avoid travel, if possible, especially during freezing conditions or overnight when temperatures are expected to drop.
• If it is absolutely necessary to travel during a winter storm, slow down, increase your following distance, and stay alert.
• In case of a minor collision without injuries, move your vehicle off the roadway and call your local law enforcement agency or dial *HP (*47) for assistance.
• Ensure family or friends know your traveling plans, specifically where you’re going and the approximate time of arrival.
• Check on your animals and ensure that their access to food and water is not blocked by ice or other obstacles. Shelter them indoors, if possible.
• Freezing temperatures can burst water pipes in homes that lack heat or proper insulation.  Wrap exposed pipes or take other measures to insulate them from the cold and consider letting your faucets drip or slightly stream overnight to help prevent frozen pipes.
• Residents are urged to stay away from downed power lines and to report any outages to their utility company immediately.
• Keep alternative heating sources prepared. If you have a fireplace, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood. Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure your family knows how to use them.
• Properly vent fuel-fired heaters and keep generators outside and away from open windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, do not burn charcoal indoors. Charcoal fumes can result in carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Never operate a portable generator indoors.
• Keep anything that can burn (e.g., paper, clothing, furniture) at least three feet away from portable space heaters to prevent fire hazards.

The official South Carolina Winter Weather Guide includes checklists and tips for preparing for hazardous conditions.

The SC Emergency Manager app is designed to help residents create emergency plans, manage supplies, locate open emergency shelters, and stay connected with loved ones. The app is free on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

For up-to-date resources, please visit scemd.org.