Icy roads from winter storm in SC may persist into next week. Here’s how to best prepare

You might want to plan some stay-at-home activities this weekend, and possibly into the following week.

The winter storm coming to South Carolina, which is supposed to arrive on Saturday morning, is less likely to produce snow, according to a winter weather briefing the Columbia National Weather Service sent out Thursday morning.

But the odds of dangerous conditions continue to increase.

South Carolina is all but certain to see freezing rain. This can cause hazardous driving conditions throughout the weekend and can linger into the following week, the NWS said.

Columbia has a 98% chance of getting frozen rain late Saturday into Sunday. Southern towns, like Georgetown and Myrtle Beach, only have a 24% and 27% chance, respectively, to see frozen rain.

“Even a few hundredths of an inch of freezing rain can cause notable travel concerns, particularly on overpasses and bridges,” the NWS said in their briefing.

The latest forecast from NWS says the upper half of the state has a small chance, around 5-30%, of seeing major impacts, such as impossible driving conditions and widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure.

How you can prepare

The South Carolina Department of Transportation has 60,000 pounds of salt and 1,200 pieces of equipment spread statewide to defend against the harsh conditions. They still ask that people don’t drive unless absolutely necessary and to pay attention to the latest forecasts.

“We’re asking drivers to slow down and stay alert,” said Kelly Moore, SCDOT’s Chief of Staff. “Give yourself extra space between you and other vehicles on the roadway, and be mindful that even though there may not look like there’s an accumulation of a snow or ice on the road, we could see black ice.”

Utilities are also at risk of being disrupted. While chances are still low, it’s important to prepare for the possibility of your power being shut off.

The American Red Cross has a guide on how to properly plan for extremely-cold weather:

• Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping
• Plan to check on loved ones and neighbors to make sure they are staying warm. This is especially important for older adults and babies
• Drink plenty of warm fluids but avoid caffeine and alcohol
• Know where you will go if your home becomes too cold. You could go to a friend’s house, a public library or a warming center
• Gather food, water and medicine before a winter storm. Stores might be closed, and it may be unsafe to travel
• Consider having emergency supplies in your vehicle, such as a blanket, warm clothing, a first aid kit and boots

If you’re able to stay warm inside your home, do so. Dust off some old board games and fortify yourself with thick blankets as the storm passes.