Prep for Icy Weather -- Official State of Emergency - Basketball changes at PC - the low temperature on Monday is projected at 10 degrees

LCWSC Monitoring Winter Storm Watch, Reminds Customers to Prepare Homes and Pipes for Extended Freezing Temperatures

Laurens, SC (January 21, 2026) — With a Winter Storm Watch currently in effect for the area and forecasts calling for extended periods of below-freezing temperatures, LCWSC is closely monitoring weather conditions and taking proactive steps to support continued safe and reliable water and wastewater service for the community.

LCWSC’s team works year-round with a focus on maintaining, inspecting, and improving the water and wastewater system. Through routine daily system maintenance and seasonal readiness efforts, crews regularly prepare infrastructure and equipment to operate through changing weather conditions, including winter cold.

“Our team is focused on our system every day of the year, not just when winter weather is in the forecast,” said Jeff Field, Executive Director of LCWSC. “By monitoring conditions closely and completing routine maintenance year-round, we’re able to stay prepared. We also encourage our customers to take a few simple steps at home to prepare for extended freezing temperatures.”

Wintry weather can impact both household plumbing and water systems, particularly during prolonged periods of freezing temperatures. Customer preparation plays a significant role in helping prevent frozen pipes and potential waterline breaks.

LCWSC encourages customers to take the following steps to help protect their homes and plumbing:

• Insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces, basements, garages, and exterior walls
• Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses and shut off exterior water supplies
• Seal air leaks near plumbing around doors, windows, and foundations
• Know where your main water shut-off valve is located and how to turn it off
• Allow faucets to drip slightly during extended freezing temperatures
• Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate

Additional winter weather preparation tips, including how to locate and shut off your water, are available on the LCWSC website: https://tinyurl.com/5x8p4s6h. Customers can also find helpful information and weather-related updates by following LCWSC on social media.

While LCWSC takes steps to prepare its system and continues routine maintenance throughout the year, extended freezing temperatures and other winter weather conditions can affect homes and underground utilities alike. In some cases, temporary service interruptions may be unavoidable.

“When winter weather does impact service, our customers can be confident that our team is ready,” Field said. “We are prepared 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to respond safely and work efficiently to keep water flowing safely to and from your home.”

LCWSC appreciates the community’s partnership in preparing for winter weather and encourages customers to take action now as colder temperatures approach.

Gov. McMaster Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Winter Storm

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster has issued Executive Order 2026-02 declaring a State of Emergency in preparation for a winter storm system expected to impact the state beginning Saturday and continuing through the weekend, possibly into Monday. The governor's order activates the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan, allowing state agencies to quickly mobilize resources, allows the state National Guard to activate personnel and prepare equipment for deployment, and allows state and local emergency management officials to begin coordinating response efforts. In addition, the order suspends certain rules and regulations for commercial vehicles and operators of commercial vehicles in order to expedite the transportation of emergency response resources.

“South Carolinians should remain aware of local forecasts and take appropriate precautions ahead of this weekend's storm, as winter weather can change quickly and create hazardous conditions with little notice,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “Preparations are already underway by state agencies, and this State of Emergency ensures Team South Carolina is ready to respond and support communities as conditions develop." 

Forecasters report a mix of sleet, ice, and snow, along with freezing temperatures, which is expected to create hazardous travel conditions and impact utilities across portions of the state.

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is working closely with state and local partners, including the National Weather Service, to monitor conditions. Officials urge residents to follow trusted sources for accurate, up-to-date weather information.

Residents are encouraged to:

• Monitor forecasts from your local National Weather Service office.
• Keep an emergency supply kit for your home and vehicle stocked with essentials, including water, food, medications, flashlights, and batteries.  
• Follow safety tips when using alternative heating appliances.  
• Check on neighbors, especially older adults and those who may need assistance.
• Bring pets indoors, ensure they have warm shelter, and keep them safe from freezing temperatures.
• Stay off the roads during periods of freezing temperatures and precipitation. Be aware that bridges and overpasses ice before other roads.
• If you must travel, use extreme caution, slow down, and avoid sudden braking or turns. Additionally, ensure your cell phone is charged and let someone know where you are going, what your travel route is, and when you expect to arrive.

For more winter weather preparedness tips and safety information, visit the South Carolina Emergency Management Division’s Winter Weather Guide.

SCDOT Activates Statewide Response Ahead of Winter Storm Fern, Crews Working to Keep Roads Safe

Columbia - The South Carolina Department of Transportation is working in preparation for the severe winter weather coming to South Carolina. Our teams are actively monitoring conditions, preparing equipment, and taking steps to keep our roads and our citizens safe across the state.

Nearly 4,000 dedicated SCDOT employees are positioned around the state.

Our top priority during any winter weather event is the safety of our roadways. That means keeping roads and bridges open and accessible, especially for first responders and other essential travel needs.

To help protect our roadways from ice and snow, we’ve stockpiled critical materials, including brine and calcium chloride for pretreating surfaces. In addition, we currently have 60,000 tons of salt and 1,200 pieces of equipment staged strategically across the state, ready to be deployed where it’s needed most.

As Winter Storm Fern approaches, we encourage everyone to slow down, give our crews plenty of space as they work, and stay informed through local news and SCDOT’s updates. Your caution helps keep our employees safe and ensures we can continue doing our job, keeping South Carolina moving safely.

Lander Announces Class Cancelation Friday Afternoon Ahead of Winter Storm

GREENWOOD — Officials at Lander University are closely monitoring the winter weather forecast for the Upstate region of South Carolina. According to reports from the National Weather Service, hazardous levels of snow, sleet and ice are possible Saturday through Sunday, which may cause widespread power outages and make roadways impassable.

Out of an abundance of caution, Lander has announced the following schedule changes:

• Classes beginning at 12 p.m. or after for Friday, Jan. 23, are canceled. Students should look for instructions from their professors regarding any assignments for those courses.
• Campus offices will remain open Friday on a regular schedule.
• Campus transportation services (Lander Line/Shuttle) will be suspended Saturday and Sunday.
• No decision has been made at this time regarding classes and operations for Monday, Jan. 26. However, students and faculty should prepare for remote learning Monday, should conditions prevent safe travel.  
• Officials will closely monitor conditions throughout the weekend and additional operational updates will be shared via Lander email, social media and website as those decisions are made.

The University is also encouraging students to travel home Friday afternoon, as some campus services will be scaled back while the University focuses resources on storm preparation and response. Should Lander experience power outages, access to some campus services may be limited. Further instructions and guidance were provided to students, faculty and staff via University email.

For the latest updates, please visit www.lander.edu/alert. For questions, email marcom@lander.edu. 

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