Richland County Monitors and Prepares for Winter Weather

(Richland PIO) – As Richland County gears up for a second round of winter weather, County staff are preparing to address conditions forecasted for Saturday, Jan. 31 that could make travel on local roads and highways hazardous over the weekend and potentially early next week.

A winter storm watch in effect for the Midlands predicts 3 to 5 inches of snow Saturday, with temperatures falling into the mid-teens Sunday, Feb. 1 (and wind chills in the single digits that day). These conditions could make travel hazardous. 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 evaluation. The County’s Emergency Operations Center is being readied for activation, with Emergency Services personnel preparing equipment and staff that might be needed during the weather event.

The County will provide further winter weather updates Friday, Jan. 30.
Residents are encouraged to follow the County’s website and social media accounts for updates, as well as SCDOT for guidance. 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:

• 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.

About Richland County: The County Government is dedicated to providing exceptional public services through effective planning, proactive leadership, and inclusive governance to ensure that all residents, visitors, and businesses have equitable opportunities and improved quality of life today and in the future.