Colleton County officials continue to monitor the potential for a significant Winter Weather Event next week. According to the National Weather Service, there is an increasing confidence in prediction models showing minor to moderate impacts to include: lower than normal temperatures, and for snowfall and/or frozen precipitation. Conditions are expected to deteriorate on Tuesday, and could last for several days. Even a minor amount of ice accumulation will make travel very dangerous and could cause power outages.
Colleton Residents should remember the following winter safety tips:
- Avoid unnecessary travel on Tuesday and Wednesday. If you have to travel, drive during the day, decrease your speed and leave plenty of room to stop the vehicle on icy roads.
- Report power outages to your electricity provider, NOT 911. Call 911 for emergencies only.
- Do not use charcoal grills or portable generators indoors.
- Utilize a Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detector if you use LP or natural gas powered heating appliances in your home.
- Do not use gas-powered cooking stoves as a heating source.
- Assume that any downed power lines are energized and can kill you if you touch them
- Shelter your animals indoors, if possible.
- Stay indoors. If you must go outside, dress in layers of loose fitting, lightweight clothing. Wear a hat that covers your ears.
- Stay home, stay warm, and stay safe.
The impacts from the weather next week are not clear yet; however, Colleton County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be monitoring the potential impacts over the weekend and has been coordinating with a large number of Emergency Support Function agencies that are available to assist with a response, should it become necessary.
Should you have any questions, please visit Colleton County Fire-Rescue’s Emergency Management Division emergency information webpage at www.colletonfire.com/info and monitor the forecast at www.weather.gov/chs. Additional information will be distributed later in the weekend or first of next week when the impacts become more clear.