Richland County Continues Preparations, Adjusts Schedule for Winter Weather

(Richland PIO) – Richland County is continuing with preparations to include closing government offices to the public on Monday, Jan. 26, as winter weather is forecasted to impact the Midlands. In addition to County Government offices, the County’s Solid Waste and Recycling facilities will also be closed to the public Monday.

The County is currently under a winter storm watch, in effect from 7 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 through 1 p.m. Monday. The main winter precipitation type appears to be trending toward rain, sleet and freezing rain. Forecasted ice accumulations could lead to icy roads and sidewalks, along with tree branches falling and power outages, making for hazardous travel. During inclement weather, residents are encouraged to avoid travel to keep roadways as clear as possible for emergency vehicles, first responders, and other work crews.

Richland County Public Works has begun pre-treating historically affected roads and key routes in response to the forecasted conditions. Public Works staff are on-call for event response and road condition evaluations. The Richland County Emergency Operations Center is being readied for activation, with Emergency Services personnel preparing equipment and staff that might be needed during the weather event.

Residents are encouraged to follow the County’s website and social media accounts for updates concerning County operations. While offices are closed, residents can access many services at www.richlandcountysc.gov, including those by the Auditor, Treasurer, Assessor and other offices.

For the latest weather and related updates, please monitor local, state and national outlets. To stay safe in the event of an emergency, residents can also:

• Sign up for emergency notifications via phone, text or email: http://www.richlandcountysc.gov/Emergency-Preparedness
• Get real-time weather updates: rcwinds.com
• Remember tips for winter weather preparation: scemd.org

Emergency Services personnel remind residents of the following cold-weather precautions:

• Prepare for possible power outages.
• Stock up on food, water and other necessary items to avoid having to travel.
• Be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. Never operate a generator indoors.
• Insulate exposed water pipes and run water to help prevent pipes from freezing.
• Make sure water sprinkler systems are turned off, as automatic watering systems contribute to icy walkways and roadways when they operate during freezing temperatures.
• If going outdoors, dress in layers of lightweight clothing. Wear gloves and a hat to help retain body heat.
• Turn off space heaters when leaving a room or before going to sleep.¬