South Carolinians urged to prepare for winter weather, extreme cold

THIS IS WYFF NEWS FOUR TODAY. COMING UP ON Y NEWS FOUR HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS BIRD FLU REPORTED IN THE UPSTATE. PLUS A NEW WAY TO FUND WORKFORCE HOUSING COULD BE COMING TO THE CITY OF GREENVILLE. HOW OFFICIALS SAY TOURISM WILL PLAY A PART. GOOD MORNING. I’M PEYTON FURTADO. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US HERE. 702 ON YOUR SATURDAY MORNING. LET’S TAKE A LOOK OUTSIDE FROM OUR LAURENS SKYCAM RIGHT NOW. OH, GOODNESS. CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD. WE’VE GOT A FEW RAINDROPS ON THE CAMERA. WE HADN’T SEEN ANY EARLIER THIS MORNING. 41 DEGREES FEELS LIKE 38. DEFINITELY SEEING THE RAIN. ADD A FEW MORE RAINDROPS TO THAT LENS. WE’VE GOT SYDNEY SULLIVAN IN THE STUDIO WITH US. WHO’S BEEN CALLING FOR RAIN THIS MORNING? SYDNEY? I’M GUESSING IT’S AN INDOOR DAY TODAY. YES, IN FACT, THIS IS THE DAY I KNOW WE’RE A LITTLE BEHIND SCHEDULE, BUT WE’RE ACTUALLY PUTTING UP OUR CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS TODAY BECAUSE WE KNOW IT’S GOING TO BE A RAINY DAY. AND IT’S ONE OF THOSE DAYS YOU MIGHT JUST WANT TO STAY INSIDE. WE’RE TRYING TO GET OUR DOG OUT FOR A GOOD WALK. YESTERDAY IN THE SUNSHINE BEFORE THE RAIN MOVED IN. LOOKING AT THE BIG PICTURE, YES, WE’VE GOT THE RAIN ALREADY HEADED OUR WAY. A PRETTY BIG SWATH OF MOISTURE ALL ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST. AND FOR HERE AT HOME, MOST OF US ARE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH RAIN. HOWEVER, THERE ARE A FEW LOCALIZED SPOTS ACROSS HIGHER ELEVATIONS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY SEE A LITTLE BIT OF SOME WINTRY WEATHER MIX IN EVEN A FEW FLAKES, FLYING MAINLY TO THE EAST OF FRANKLIN AND MOVING TOWARDS PARTS OF CULLOWHEE AND HENDERSONVILLE. IT’S VERY ISOLATED. MOST OF US ARE DEALING WITH RAIN, ESPECIALLY GREENVILLE, PUSHING SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST. GREENWOOD, ABBEVILLE, LAURENS UNIT A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THOSE DOWNPOURS STARTING TO WORK ACROSS THE REGION. TEMPERATURE WISE, WE’RE MAINLY SITTING IN THE UPPER 30S TO THE LOWER 40S, SO IT’S A COLD START, BUT NOT QUITE AS COLD AS WE’VE SEEN OVER THE LAST WEEK OR SO. BUT OVER THE NEXT 12 HOURS, MORE MORNING RAIN WILL GRADUALLY TRANSITION INTO ISOLATED SHOWERS THIS AFTERNOON, WITH TEMPERATURES TOPPING OUT RIGHT NEAR 50 DEGREES. SO IT IS GOING TO BE A VERY SEASONABLE DAY, BUT IT MIGHT FEEL A LITTLE BIT COLDER WHEN YOU FACTOR IN THE RAIN AND THE CLOUD COVER. BUT COMING UP, WE’LL HAVE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE LATEST TIMING OF THE RAIN, AS WELL AS WHERE OUR TEMPERATURES GO FROM HERE. PEYTON, THANK YOU SO MUCH, SYDNEY. RIGHT NOW IN GREENWOOD COUNTY, DEPUTIES ARE LOOKING FOR A MISSING GIRL WHO THEY SAY MAY BE WITH A MAN BELIEVED TO BE ABOUT 18 YEARS OLD. WE’RE TOLD 12 YEAR OLD TORIN ASHLEY LEFT HER HOME OVERNIGHT THURSDAY AND MAY BE WITH A MAN NAMED DEVON. WE DON’T KNOW HIS LAST NAME AT THIS POINT, BUT THAT’S HIM ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SCREEN. IF YOU KNOW WHERE TORIN ASHLEY IS, OR IF YOU KNOW THAT MAN ON THAT RIGHT SIDE OF YOUR SCREEN, DEPUTIES ASK THAT YOU CONTACT THE GREENWOOD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND THE ANDERSON COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING A DEADLY CRASH. WE’RE TOLD THIS HAPPENED ON EAST RIVER STREET AT ESTES DRIVE. THE CORONER’S OFFICE SAYS IT INVOLVES AN 18 WHEELER AND A MOTORCYCLE. TROOPERS SAY THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TURNING WEST ONTO U.S. 76. THE TRACTOR TRAILER TRAVELING WEST ON U.S. 76 WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE HIT THAT TRUCK. THE CORONER SAYS 45 YEAR OLD DALE SUTTLES JUNIOR DIED ON THE SCENE. THAT WAS THE MOTORCYCLIST. AND IN WESTMINSTER, THE COMMUNITY IS REMEMBERING A MAN WHO DIED AFTER A HOUSE FIRE. THE CORONER SAYS 69 YEAR OLD BERNARD DANIELS DIED IN HIS HOME ON RETREAT STREET. THE OCONEE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE CALL WAS REPORTED AT 230 YESTERDAY MORNING AND RULED UNDETERMINED. COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND FAMILIES SAY DANIELS WAS EVERYONE’S FAVORITE NEIGHBOR. HE WOULD TRULY SAY THANK YOU. THAT, YOU KNOW, HE WAS LOVED LIKE THIS. I MEAN, HE WOULD PROBABLY SAY, WELL, GOD, I DIDN’T IMAGINE. DANIELS SISTER ALSO SAYS HIS SPIRIT WILL LIVE ON IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH A SMILE AND A WAVE. AND IN HENDERSON COUNTY, A FIRE SUBSTATION WAS DESTROYED IN A FIRE YESTERDAY MORNING. THE MILLS RIVER DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF SAYS ITS OLDEST SUBSTATION CAUGHT FIRE JUST BEFORE 130 YESTERDAY MORNING. WE’RE TOLD NO FIREFIGHTERS WERE THERE AT THE TIME, BUT TWO TRUCKS AND A FIRE PREVENTION TRAILER WERE DESTROYED. THE HENDERSON COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL IS INVESTIGATING RIGHT NOW, AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS A GREENVILLE COUNTY MAN PLED GUILTY TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A MINOR IN THE THIRD DEGREE. AUTHORITIES SAY 56 YEAR OLD RUSSELL STOKES PLED GUILTY THURSDAY. WE’RE TOLD AN INVESTIGATION BEGAN LAST MARCH INTO THE DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL. AT THE TIME OF THE ARREST, STOKES WAS OUT ON BOND FOR SIMILAR CHARGES. OFFICIALS SENTENCED STOKES TO TEN YEARS IN PRISON, WITH CREDIT FOR TIME SERVED. WE’RE TOLD HE’LL HAVE TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER UPON RELEASE. AND IN MCDOWELL COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, A PASTOR ACCUSED OF EMBEZZLING MONEY FROM A CHURCH INCLUDES DONATIONS INTENDED FOR HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF. DEPUTIES SAY JEFFREY MERROW IS CHARGED WITH FELONY EMBEZZLEMENT AND FELONY LARCENY. BACK IN OCTOBER, DEPUTIES SPOKE WITH MEMBERS OF A LOCAL CHURCH REGARDING EMBEZZLEMENT, FRAUD AND THEFT, AND AFTER AN INVESTIGATION, MERROW WAS CHARGED. MOVING DOWN TO GEORGIA, NOW THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAYS THERE’S A POSITIVE CASE OF BIRD FLU AT A COMMERCIAL POULTRY OPERATION IN ELBERT COUNTY. OFFICIALS SAY THIS IS THE FIRST CONFIRMED CASE IN A COMMERCIAL POULTRY OPERATION IN GEORGIA. AND BECAUSE OF THIS, OFFICIALS SAY ALL GEORGIA POULTRY EXHIBITIONS, SHOWS, SWAP MEETS AND SALES ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. OFFICIALS ALSO SAY THE AFFECTED AREA HAD ABOUT 45,000 BREEDER CHICKENS ON SITE. WORK TO EUTHANIZE, CLEAN AND DISINFECT IS UNDERWAY. AND IN SOUTH CAROLINA, A FLOCK OF GAME BIRDS HAD TO BE DESTROYED. IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY FROM A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS H5N1 BIRD FLU. THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL REPORTED THAT CASE NEW YEAR’S EVE. IT WAS FOUND AT THE COMMERCIAL UPLAND GAME BIRD PRODUCER. NOW THAT THAT’S A BUSINESS THAT SELLS GAME BIRDS LIKE QUAIL, DUCKS AND PHEASANTS TO HUNTERS. THE COMPLETE FLOCK OF 490 BIRDS HAD TO BE EUTHANIZED. WE WILL SEND THAT UP TO USDA’S LAB, AND THEY WILL CONFIRM IT. BUT WE START WORKING RIGHT AWAY TO QUARANTINE THE FARM. SO THERE IS NO MOVEMENT OF INFECTED ANIMALS. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST CASE OF FLU IN THE STATE. THE STRAIN WAS FIRST REPORTED JUST OVER THREE YEARS AGO, WITH SEVERAL CASES SINCE IN VULTURES. DOCTOR NOLT SAYS VULTURES ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THIS VIRUS. IF YOU SEE DEAD VULTURES OR RAPTORS, OR IF YOU HAVE BACKYARD CHICKENS AND MAYBE YOU HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR SAFETY, CONTACT CLEMSON UNIVERSITY’S LIVESTOCK POULTRY HEALTH DEPARTMENT. THE CITY OF GREENVILLE COULD HAVE ANOTHER WAY TO HELP PAY FOR AFFORDABLE AND WORKFORCE HOUSING PROJECTS. THIS WEEK, CITY COUNCIL PASSED ITS HOUSING IMPACT ANALYSIS ON FIRST READING. THE DOCUMENT IS NEEDED FOR THE CITY TO USE UP TO 15% OF ITS SHARE OF THE TAXES COLLECTED BY THE STATE FOR HOTEL STAYS TO DEVELOP WORKFORCE HOUSING. ACCORDING TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, THAT’S HOUSING FOR A PERSON EARNING BETWEEN 18,700 TO AROUND $75,000 PER YEAR. OUR BUSINESS OWNERS, YOU KNOW, HAVE TO RECRUIT A WORKFORCE TO KEEP THE TOURISM GOING. SO TALK TO ANY RESTAURATEUR, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THEIR CHALLENGES IS HAVING THAT WORKFORCE TO KEEP THEIR RESTAURANT GOING AND GIVING GOOD SERVICE. THIS ALLOWS US TO HELP THEM BY BUILDING HOUSING FOR IT. COUNCIL WILL VOTE ON A SECOND AND FINAL READING OF THIS ANALYSIS, WHICH DOW SAYS IS EXPECTED TO PASS, AND A DEBATE OVER STATE MONEY TO PAY FOR PRIVATE EDUCATION IS HEATING UP IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE. AND IT’S JUST THE FIRST WEEK OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION. OUR NATE STANLEY HAS THE LATEST ON THE FUTURE OF SOUTH CAROLINA’S SCHOOL CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM IS UP FOR DEBATE IN THE STATE SENATE. THE PROGRAM WOULD OFFER AN $8,500 PER CHILD VOUCHER WITHIN THREE YEARS. THE CREDIT WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR UP TO 15,000 STUDENTS ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA TO BE USED IN PUBLIC SCHOOL OR PRIVATE SCHOOL CAN BE USED FOR SERVICES LIKE REMEDIATION. TUTORING COULD BE USED FOR TRANSPORTATION TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS. IN 2024, THE SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT RULED PRIVATE SCHOOLS COULD NOT BE DIRECT BENEFITS OF STATE MONEY. THE SENATE IS CONSIDERING USING LOTTERY FUNDS TO TO FUND THE PROGRAM. THAT MONEY WOULD COME FROM ANYONE WHO BUYS A LOTTERY TICKET. CALHOUN COUNTY SENATOR RUSSELL OTT SAYS THE BILL WOULD NOT HELP THE STATE’S PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. WE HAVE SPENT DEBATING WHETHER OR NOT TO SEND PUBLIC PUBLIC DOLLARS TOWARDS PRIVATE EDUCATION K THROUGH 12. YOU KNOW, I CAN’T HELP BUT WONDER IF OUR IF OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM WOULDN’T BE BETTER IN SOUTH CAROLINA TODAY. ELLIOTT SAYS IT’S IMPORTANT TO FIND A SOLUTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AS HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS ARE ALREADY ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM. THAT WE DO IT AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE SO THAT WE’RE READY TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAM WHEN SCHOOL STARTS BACK. SENATOR OTT THINKS THE TIMELINE IS TOO RUSHED. I THINK A LOT OF THOSE PROBLEMS COULD HAVE BEEN VETTED AND HOPEFULLY ADDRESSED. IF WE WOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH THE NORMAL PROCESS OF HAVING A A SUBCOMMITTEE AND THEN A FULL COMMITTEE HEARING ON THIS BILL, ELLIOTT EXPLAINS. WITHIN THE NEXT THREE YEARS, THE BILL WOULD SERVE FAMILIES MAKING MONEY SIX TIMES ABOVE THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. THE ONLY AMENDMENT THAT WE VOTED ON THIS WEEK ON THE BILL CLARIFIED THAT THERE’S A PREFERENCE GIVING TO LOWER INCOME STUDENTS AND THINKS IT WON’T HELP THE STATE’S LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES. IT IS NOT ENSURING THAT OUR POOR FAMILIES HAVE FIRST ACCESS TO IT. THAT WAS OUR NATE STANLEY REPORTING. NEXT WEEK, THE STATE SENATE WILL BEGIN SUBCOMMITTEE WORK. THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE DE

South Carolinians urged to prepare for winter weather, extreme cold

Updated: 5:18 PM EST Jan 18, 2025

South Carolina residents are being urged to prepare for expected winter weather and extreme cold in the coming days.Arctic air is expected to move into the state Sunday night, with the possibility of snow and ice impacting parts of the state on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.SCEMD Director Kim Stenson stressed the importance of taking action now to ensure safety.”We don’t yet know how much snow we will see, but we expect the storm to bring potentially hazardous conditions, including extremely cold temperatures,” Stenson said.”It is crucial that everyone prepare in advance to stay safe during this winter event.”Residents are encouraged to take the following precautions:Assemble an emergency kit with non-perishable food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, and important documents. Ensure the kit can sustain your household for at least three days.Insulate exposed pipes and let faucets drip overnight to prevent freezing and bursting.Prepare alternative heating sources, such as ensuring you have enough dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace. Keep fire extinguishers accessible, and make sure everyone knows how to use them.Keep kerosene heaters and generators outside, properly vented, and away from flammable materials. Never use a portable generator indoors.Check on pets and ensure they have access to food and water, while also protecting them from the cold by keeping them indoors if possible.Keep an emergency supply kit in your vehicle with essentials like water, snacks, and a flashlight for unexpected situations.Be cautious when walking or driving on ice, particularly black ice.-Limit travel, especially during freezing conditions or overnight when temperatures are expected to drop.If travel is essential, slow down, increase your following distance, and remain alert.In the event of a minor collision without injuries, move your vehicle off the road and call local law enforcement or dial *HP (*47) for assistance.Share your travel plans with family or friends, including your destination and estimated time of arrival.Residents are advised to stay updated on the latest weather forecasts and warnings as the storm approaches.For live up-to-date road conditions, click here.The official South Carolina Severe Winter Weather Guide contains checklists and tips on how to prepare for hazardous conditions. ( SC Emergency Manager app is designed to help residents create emergency plans, manage supplies, locate open emergency shelters, and stay connected with loved ones. The app is free on the Apple App Store and Google Play.For up-to-date resources, please visit

COLUMBIA, S.C. —

South Carolina residents are being urged to prepare for expected winter weather and extreme cold in the coming days.

Arctic air is expected to move into the state Sunday night, with the possibility of snow and ice impacting parts of the state on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.

SCEMD Director Kim Stenson stressed the importance of taking action now to ensure safety.

“We don’t yet know how much snow we will see, but we expect the storm to bring potentially hazardous conditions, including extremely cold temperatures,” Stenson said.

“It is crucial that everyone prepare in advance to stay safe during this winter event.”

Residents are encouraged to take the following precautions:

Assemble an emergency kit with non-perishable food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, and important documents. Ensure the kit can sustain your household for at least three days.

Insulate exposed pipes and let faucets drip overnight to prevent freezing and bursting.

Prepare alternative heating sources, such as ensuring you have enough dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace. Keep fire extinguishers accessible, and make sure everyone knows how to use them.

Keep kerosene heaters and generators outside, properly vented, and away from flammable materials. Never use a portable generator indoors.

Check on pets and ensure they have access to food and water, while also protecting them from the cold by keeping them indoors if possible.

Keep an emergency supply kit in your vehicle with essentials like water, snacks, and a flashlight for unexpected situations.

Be cautious when walking or driving on ice, particularly black ice.-Limit travel, especially during freezing conditions or overnight when temperatures are expected to drop.

If travel is essential, slow down, increase your following distance, and remain alert.

In the event of a minor collision without injuries, move your vehicle off the road and call local law enforcement or dial *HP (*47) for assistance.

Share your travel plans with family or friends, including your destination and estimated time of arrival.

Residents are advised to stay updated on the latest weather forecasts and warnings as the storm approaches.

For live up-to-date road conditions, click here.

The official South Carolina Severe Winter Weather Guide contains checklists and tips on how to prepare for hazardous conditions. (../severe-winter-weather-guide/)

The SC Emergency Manager app is designed to help residents create emergency plans, manage supplies, locate open emergency shelters, and stay connected with loved ones. The app is free on the Apple App Store and Google Play.For up-to-date resources, please visit https://www.scemd.org/.