Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Declaration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oconee County Council adopts emergency declaration ahead of winter storm
Summary
At an emergency meeting Jan. 23, 2026, the Oconee County Council adopted a county emergency declaration for an approaching winter storm after emergency-services staff confirmed planning at the county Emergency Operations Center; the declaration passed by voice vote and individual tallies were not recorded.
OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. — The Oconee County Council adopted an emergency declaration on Jan. 23, 2026, authorizing county preparations for an approaching winter storm.
The council met at 3:30 p.m. in an emergency session called by the chair and moved immediately to briefings and the reading of the declaration. The chair said, "This is for the severe winter storm that's approaching," as the item was presented for first and final reading.
Mister Jones, speaking about coordination with emergency staff, said the county "met at the EOC earlier today, looking at operations and planning," and warned, "It's gonna be a lot of ice out there." David Root, the county attorney, said he had no legal comments for the meeting.
During the meeting a council member said, "I make a motion," and the motion was seconded. The council approved the emergency declaration by voice vote; the transcript records the vocal assent but does not include a roll-call or individual vote tally.
The declaration, identified in the meeting as the "State of South Carolina, County of Oconee emergency declaration," is intended to allow the county to activate emergency resources and coordinate with local emergency responders in anticipation of severe winter conditions.
After adopting the declaration the council quickly moved to adjourn. The meeting record indicates the action was procedural and limited to the emergency declaration and closing business.
Notes: The meeting began with a requested invocation led by Mister James. The transcript documents the time of the meeting as Jan. 23, 2026, at 3:30 p.m.
