SC readies for 'crippling' ice storm impact, officials warn of power outages and hazardous roads

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — Gov. Henry McMaster on Saturday urged South Carolinians in the worst paths of Winter Storm Fern to heed emergency warnings and prepare now as the state readies to deal with freezing temperatures, icy roads and widespread power outages.

"We are prepared," McMaster said from the state Emergency Operations Center. "This is not a hurricane. ... With this ice storm, it's going to be cold. It's liable to have all the power lines in the affected areas will be down. The ice will either bring the lines down or bring the tree limbs down on the lines. You may be without electricity for maybe four days, or maybe longer."

State emergency officials said the time to prepare for the storm's impact is now, with a warning on Saturday from state Emergency Management Division Director Kim Stenson that the window to prepare is "closing fast."

John Quagliariello, with the National Weather Service, said storm impacts will start Saturday night, potentially extending into Sunday night across the Upstate and the northern Midlands.

The greatest impact, Quagliariello said, will be felt across the Upstate, where freezing rain will result in "crippling ice accumulation."

Quagliariello said the storm, which is forecast to bring up to one-half to 1 inch of ice, will be the most significant ice storm in the Upstate since 2005.

But it will be "worse," he said, and it will be more "widespread."

The storm will cause "extensive travel disruptions, prolonged power outages and vast tree damage," Quagliariello said.

Storm impacts will extend through the Midlands and Pee Dee, falling along and north of the Interstate 20 corridor, resulting in a quarter to one-half inch of ice accumulation, Quagliariello said.

Listen to John Quagliariello's full remarks below:

State Transportation Secretary Justin Powell said roads crews have been working for days to prepare for the storm, and 3,000 personnel will work statewide through the storm's duration.

Powell said 1.5 million gallons of brine have already been put on the roads. He said Interstate 85 from the North Carolina line to the Georgia line has been treated many times.

This is "expected to be a major ice event with dangerously cold temperatures to follow," Powell said. "Traveling will be hazardous, especially well into next week."

On Saturday, President Donald Trump approved South Carolina's request for federal assistance.

"We have some help," McMaster said. "FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration) is here."

McMaster said FEMA has been "very, very responsive."

In preparation of the weather, colleges and universities, government buildings and school districts announced closures through Monday or said they would switch to virtual learning.

Statehouse leaders warned the weather could impact the legislative session that picks back up on Tuesday if roads remain impassable.

Utilities have warned for the likelihood of power outages.

Dominion Energy of South Carolina said in a post on X that if the forecast holds, the storm "has the potential to be one of our largest winter weather operational impacts."

Dominion South Carolina's President Keller Kissam noted Saturday at EMD that the last ice storm the state faced was in 2014. The storm started in Aiken County, but spread to Dorchester and Colleton counties, he said.

"Ice is the most unpredictable as it relates to storms," Kissam said.

Duke Energy, which includes many utility customers in the Upstate, said power outages could last stretch several days in the hardest-hit areas.

"Freezing rain is going to be our enemy over the days ahead," Rick Canavan, Duke Energy's storm director, said in a statement. "It will build up on tree branches until the weight causes them to break — bringing down power lines and poles. The freezing rain and ice will also make roads extremely difficult for our crews to navigate, slowing power restoration efforts.”

More than 18,000 workers were in position to assist with outages across the Carolinas Friday night, the company said.

Those workers included staff from 27 other U.S. states and Canada.

Overwhelmingly, the message on Saturday was prepare now.

"If you are not ready for power outages or extreme cold, the please relocate or get to a shelter today," said Maj. Gen. Robin Stilwell, the state adjutant general.