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Horry County public safety warns of multi-day freezing-rain event; residents urged to stay home
Summary
Horry County Public Safety warned of a potential multi-day freezing-rain event starting Saturday night with up to a half-inch of ice in places; officials urged residents to avoid travel, prepare supplies and expect possible power outages into next week.
Sam Hodge, a Public Safety official for Horry County, told the County Council on Jan. 20 that forecasters increasingly expect a significant freezing-rain event beginning Saturday night and lingering into early next week. "We're looking for a quarter of an inch up to a half an inch of ice in some areas," Hodge said, comparing the potential impact to the county's 2014 ice storm.
Hodge said county departments, municipalities, utilities, nonprofit partners and state emergency management have started coordination and that the National Weather Service forecasts point to a widespread, countywide impact. He urged residents to "stay at home during this event," prepare basic supplies and medications, keep mobile devices charged and plan for power interruptions that could extend into the following week.
Hodge said temperatures likely will remain at or below freezing from Saturday into Monday, creating a multi-day icing event rather than a short, melting snowfall. He emphasized that avoiding unnecessary travel is the best mitigation and that county staff and community partners are preparing response plans.
The briefing closed with council acknowledgment and a brief question period; no formal action was taken. The county advised people to monitor official county and National Weather Service updates for changes to the forecast and any sheltering or road-status notices.
