COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – With winter weather set to impact South Carolina this weekend, officials are providing more details on how to stay safe.
Saturday and Sunday are WIS First Alert Weather Days for the threat of a wintry mix and freezing rain across the Midlands.
FULL FORECAST | FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAYS this weekend for incoming wintry weather
Below are tips and more information on how to stay safe and how officials are preparing:
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
The National Weather Service says the best time to plan for a winter storm is days in advance and offers the following timeline:
- A FEW DAYS OUT
- Have emergency supplies for your home and car
- Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Replenish fuel for your car and heating sources
- THE DAY BEFORE
- DURING & AFTER
- Drive only if necessary
- Check on neighbors and family
- Properly ventilate emergency heat sources
- Keep generations at least 20 feet from your home
- Take it easy while shoveling
SCDOT
The South Carolina Department of Transportation says it has over 4,000 employees across the state trained and ready to respond to winter weather emergencies.
The agency also said it has 60,000 tons of salt ready and 1,200 pieces of equipment staged statewide, along with brine and calcium chloride to treat roads as needed
SCDOT also said it encourages drivers to travel safely and stay informed.
DOMINION ENERGY
Dominion Energy says it’s also ready to respond to the winter weather threat and has activated its emergency operations center. It’s also staffing crews and equipment across the state and working with other utility companies to secure additional resources.
“Customers are urged to stay safe and be prepared for the possibility of power outages,” the company said in a statement. “Winter precipitation, particularly sleet and freezing rain, can weigh down tree limbs and power lines, which could cause power outages. Fallen trees, limbs and power lines, as well as icy roads, can also create dangerous travel conditions. This can limit safe access to areas where damage is the most severe, potentially prolonging power outages.”
Dominion is also encouraging customers to take the following precautions:
- Pack an emergency kit: The kit should include flashlights, batteries, portable radio, first-aid kit and enough bottled water and non-perishable food to last several days.
- Stay away from downed power lines: Always assume downed power lines are energized and dangerous. South Carolina customers should call 888-333-4465 right away to report a downed power line.
- Prepare for potential property damage: Crews can only repair electric service up to a home’s point of connection. If a customer has any storm damage from the weatherhead down to its meter base, an electrician must repair it before Dominion Energy can reconnect power to the home. Having any required repairs completed before crews arrive can save time in restoring power.
- Report and track outages: Customers who provide a mobile number on their account will receive outage notifications via text during a storm, including estimated times of restoration and confirmation when service is restored. Customers are also encouraged to track the status of their outage on the Dominion Energy app and website.
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