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Preparing for Severe Winter Weather

South Carolina Emergency Management Division logo

  After a warmer than normal December, the National Weather Service has predicted a wetter and cooler than normal winter for South Carolina.  Derrec Becker of S.C. Emergency Management Division cautions that severe weather is possible, and provides a list of simple things people can do to prepare for winter storms.

  • Keep a blanket in your car, plus other things to keep you warm, such as gloves and a hat
  • Keep a good stock of canned goods in the pantry that can be eaten cold
  • Have warm, dry clothing on hand, and a sturdy pair of boots
  • Have rock salt or cat litter to clear driveways of ice
  • Have flashlights and extra batteries
  • For your vehicle, add a shovel, windshield ice scraper, small broom, flashlight, battery powered radio and some snacks
  • For your home, insulate your pipes to prevent freezing
  • Have your vehicle serviced to prepare it for winter weather

WHAT NOT TO DO:

    • Never run a generator or burn charcoal indoors for heat, not even in a garage.
    • Don’t light a fire if you haven’t had your fireplace and chimney cleaned
    • Don’t try to heat your home by leaving the oven open
Tut Underwood is producer of South Carolina Focus, a weekly news feature. A native of Alabama, Tut graduated from Auburn University with a BA in Speech Communication. He worked in radio in his hometown before moving to Columbia where he received a Master of Mass Communications degree from the University of South Carolina, and worked for local radio while pursuing his degree. He also worked in television. He was employed as a public information specialist for USC, and became Director of Public Information and Marketing for the South Carolina State Museum. His hobbies include reading, listening to music in a variety of styles and collecting movies and old time radio programs.