South Carolinians urged to prepare for winter weather this season

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - South Carolina leaders want people across the state to start preparing now for severe or potentially dangerous winter weather in the coming months.

On Monday, they gathered at the State Emergency Operations Center in Lexington County to mark Winter Weather Week and remind South Carolinians of the importance of being ready for the season.

“We don’t seem to have as many dangerous storms, that is, in the wintertime and with the ice and snow, as we do with regular hurricanes. But they are just as dangerous,” Gov. Henry McMaster said.

Snow, sleet, freezing rain, and wind are all winter weather possibilities in South Carolina, causing impacts from power outages to tricky road conditions.

NOAA is calling for the state to experience a warmer and drier winter this season.

“Keep in mind, all it takes is one winter storm to make it a ‘bad’ winter,” Trisha Palmer with the National Weather Service said.

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division encourages people to have at least a three-day supply of food and water, along with blankets and winter supplies like shovels and rock salt.

They recommend people take this time to insulate pipes and know how to shut off their water valves in case a pipe bursts.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation and Department of Public Safety said they are ready to keep roads clear during any possible storms this season.

“Our preparations began in October, including staffing plans, refreshing training, and ensuring all equipment is ready for rapid deployment,” Transportation Secretary Justin Powell said.

But they encourage drivers to have their supplies ready at home so they can stay off the roads in potentially dangerous conditions and then take caution if they do need to drive.

“Before going out, make sure your cellphone is charged and you communicate your travel plans to a friend or to a member of your family. Becoming stranded in a vehicle with no heat can quickly turn dangerous, so we encourage motorists to keep blankets, food, water, and flares in their vehicle,” Department of Public Safety Director Robert Woods said.

As with any storm, emergency management officials caution South Carolinians about generator safety if power goes out, saying to only use a generator outdoors, in a well-ventilated area away from windows and doors.

Monday’s message comes as more than 300 members of the South Carolina National Guard are deploying this week to Washington, D.C.

But the National Guard says it has “more than enough” guardsmen to respond to emergencies at home during that time.

For more tips and checklists, people can find the South Carolina Emergency Management Division’s winter weather resource guide here.

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