Roads Impacted by Winter Climate; Drivers Urged to Keep Dwelling if Journey Is Not Essential

Columbia, S.C. – Snow continues to create hazardous driving situations throughout parts of South Carolina, and members of the South Carolina Emergency Response Team are urging residents to remain off the roads if they don’t have to journey.

While crews have been working across the clock to deal with precedence routes, many roadways, together with main roads stay slick and harmful for journey. Cold temperatures are stopping fast melting, and refreezing is predicted in a single day, rising the chance of black ice.

Emergency officers stress that pointless journey places drivers in danger and may delay response efforts for emergency personnel and highway crews.

“Even though the snowfall has ended, the danger has not,” stated South Carolina Emergency Management Director Kim Stenson. “Snow remains on many roadways, especially in areas that do not receive direct sunlight.”

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) continues to prioritize interstates, main routes, and significant entry roads. However, officers warning that situations can range extensively from one space to a different.

“Road conditions are still hazardous in many parts of the state,” stated SCDOT Secretary Justin Powell. “Our crews are working around the clock, but we have seen a highly unusual amount of snowfall and it will take time to fully clear and reopen the roads. If you do not have to be out, please stay home and give our teams the space they need to do their work.”

“Limiting traffic helps protect drivers and gives law enforcement, emergency responders, and road crews the room they need to work safely,” stated South Carolina Department of Public Safety Director Robert Woods.

Director Woods provides that drivers who can’t keep away from journey are urged to lower their velocity, enhance following distance, and use excessive warning, significantly on bridges, overpasses, and roads that seem moist, as a result of chance that it’s ice.

Residents are inspired to observe native climate forecasts and comply with official updates from SCEMD, SCDOT, SCDPS and native officers for the newest info on highway situations and security steering.

State and Local Activities:

• The South Carolina Emergency Management Division has obtained and processed over 68 requests for a variety of capabilities, together with shelter assist and turbines.
• The South Carolina Department of Transportation has shifted to 24-hour operations with roughly 3,000 personnel mobilized.
• Road security stays a high precedence. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety has activated 24-7 protection till additional discover. As of Saturday, 595 Highway Patrol troopers, State Transport Police officers, SLED brokers, PPP officer and DNR officers had been mobilized for site visitors incident response.
  • Within a 24-hour interval (from 7 a.m. on Saturday, January 31 via 7 a.m. on Sunday, February 1), the above companies responded to 1,490 requires service. Of these, 1227 had been for reported collisions or to help motorists.
• Over 350 service members from the South Carolina Military Department are postured to assist Winter Storm Gianna operations, together with 14 car restoration groups working underneath the path of the South Carolina Highway Patrol. A complete of 47 automobiles have been dispatched to assist in these efforts.
• 9 common inhabitants shelters are at present in operation. View shelter info right here.
• The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) opened its Triage Line for residents to name to find out their eligibility for Medical Equipment Power Shelters (MEPS) and expanded the hours of its Care Line to 24 hours a day till 2 p.m. Sunday Feb. 1. During the storm, DPH had 4 Medical Equipment Power Shelters and one quarantine shelter on standby throughout South Carolina for shelterees and their companions.
• State authorities workplace closing and delay info is accessible at

 

For extra info, go to SCEMD.org.