COLUMBIA, SC (Press Release) – Governor Nikki Haley has declared a State of Emergency to mobilize additional state resources should they been needed in response to the impending hazardous weather. The Governor’s State of Emergency Executive Order activates the Emergency Operations Plan, directing all state agencies to coordinate emergency resources should local public safety efforts request assistance.
The S.C. Emergency Management Division, state and local public safety agencies are preparing for another winter storm that should begin to affect the state this evening. Forecasters with the National Weather Service predict the possibility of three to seven inches of snow in the Upstate and Northern Midlands areas, from McCormick to Marlboro Counties.
Counties in the state of emergency are: Abbeville, Aiken, Anderson, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Edgefield, Fairfield, Florence, Greenville, Greenwood, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lee, Lexington, Newberry Marlboro, McCormick, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Sumter, Union and York.
SCEMD is working closely with the S.C. Department of Public Safety, the state Dept. of Transportation, the S.C. Office of Regulatory Staff, the S.C. National Guard and all NWS offices that serve South Carolina. SCEMD has coordinated with all county emergency managers to make sure there are no unmet needs in terms of winter storm response resources.
The State Emergency Operations Center will be activated with select representatives from several of the State Emergency Response Team agencies beginning tonight and into tomorrow morning.
· Check on anyone who may need extra help during winter weather.
· Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies only.
· Remember to keep a full charge on your cell phone and mobile devices so that they can be used during an emergency.
· Motorists should be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roadways, which tend to freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
· Power outages are expected to be minimal but possible with this storm. If you lose power, know how to report the outage to your utility company and have alternate, safe means of staying warm.
· Monitor local media for information about warming shelters that have been opened by county emergency managers.
· 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 kerosene heaters and keep any electric generators OUTSIDE and away from any open windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, do not burn charcoal indoors. Carbon monoxide poisoning can result from charcoal fumes indoors.
· Never operate a portable generator indoors.
· Keep fresh batteries on hand to use with flashlights and NOAA tone-alert weather radios.
· Provide some options for outdoor pets and domestic animals to stay warm.
· Follow @SCEMD social feeds at www.facebook.com/SCEMD and www.twitter.com/SCEMD
· The official South Carolina Severe Winter Weather Guide is available at any Walgreen’s store in the state and for download at www.scemd.org
· Any closings and/or delayed opening of state government offices will be posted at scemd.org/closings and broadcast on SCETV television and radio.
· Hazardous weather driving tips from the S.C. Highway Patrol.
· Get real-time road conditions from SCDOT’s Severe Winter page.