Winter Storm Gianna is threatening to blanket South Carolina with massive amounts of snow this weekend. As preparations are underway statewide, Dorchester and Georgetown Counties, two of the areas that could be hardest hit, have also announced plans to weather the winter storm.
Dorchester County Public Works is assisting the South Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) with pre-treating roads and bridges. Crews will transition to salting operations when precipitation begins. Residents are urged to avoid travel due to potentially hazardous conditions.
Residents also are encouraged to:
- Check on neighbors, especially those who are elderly, disabled, or may need additional assistance
- Dress in warm layers and limit time outside
- Practice safe generator, portable heater and fire safety
- Protect pipes by allowing faucets to drip, opening cabinet doors with pipes, and insulating exterior walls and pipes in unheated areas
Additionally, county government officials say the following warming centers will be open:
Seacoast North Charleston
5505 N. Rhett Avenue. Open Friday, Jan. 30, 7 p.m.- 7 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 31, 7 p.m. – 6 a.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 1: 7 p.m. – 7 a.m.
Seacoast Summerville (accepts pets)
301 E. 5th N. St. Open Friday, Jan. 30, 7 p.m. - 9 a.m.; Saturday, Jan. 31, Noon- Release Time TBD; and Sunday, Feb. 1, shelter in place and intake any time. For transportation assistance, text TRANSPORT to 320320.
Holy City Missions at Aldergate UMC
1444 Remount Road. Open Friday, Jan. 30; Saturday, Jan. 31; and Sunday, Feb. 1: 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. For site-specific questions: 843-744-0283
Bethel AME Church, St. George
5585 Memorial Blvd. Open Saturday, Jan. 31 and Sunday, Feb. 1, starting at 7 p.m.
For the latest updates and resources, residents are encouraged to follow the county's Facebook page, visit Dorchester County Emergency Management on Facebook, sign up for the county's Emergency Notification System and county newsletter.
In Georgetown County, emergency management officials have put essential staff on standby for rapid activation, while public services has readied equipment for road clearing and other operations as soon as conditions allow.
All county recycling centers will close at noon on Saturday and remain closed at least through Sunday. A decision on county government operations for Monday will be made on Sunday.
County residents also are cautioned to avoid travel because of extreme cold and hazardous driving conditions. Two warming shelters are open at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 1043 Duke St., and Low Country Veterans Group headquarters, 2104 Lincoln St.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed through the Georgetown County website and the county's Facebook page.