Full Notification

As of 6:30 p.m., tonight, January 23, 2025, our deputies along with our law enforcement partners, continue to urge you to remain at home unless travel is necessary.
 
Current conditions on roads in Beaufort County are as follows:

• Primary roads: Improving; however, hazards remain
• Secondary roads: Hazardous
• Rural and private roads: Hazardous

[Primary roads are considered the main arteries (Ex. U.S. 278, U.S. 21, S.C. 170). Secondary roads serve to connect smaller areas or provide access to points off the primary routes (Ex. Parris Island Gateway, Bluffton Parkway)]
 
Travel and road condition resources:

• South Carolina Department of Transportation: www.scdot.org
• SCDOT 511: www.511sc.org (Real-time traffic information, as well as live camera views across South Carolina)
• Beaufort County Traffic Cameras: https://apps.beaufortcountysc.gov/traffic-cameras/ (Current traffic conditions in images from traffic cameras throughout Beaufort County)

 
While some melting occurred today, what remains will again refreeze tonight and remain frozen into tomorrow morning. As the US National Weather Service Charleston SC stated, “In other words, little improvement today means roads are and still will be hazardous into tomorrow!”
 
According to the US National Weather Service Charleston SC, a COLD WEATHER ADVISORY is in effect from midnight into Friday morning. Additionally, a SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT has been issued through Friday morning to address the ongoing hazardous travel conditions. Temperatures will dip below freezing shortly after nightfall, resulting in the refreezing of any liquid on roads and additional compacting of snow/ice and black ice formation. Travel will remain hazardous through the overnight hours as temperatures remain below freezing through daybreak Friday.
 
Should travel be necessary, please be advised of the following tips:

• Slow down: Reduce your speed and leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you.
• Brake gently: Avoid slamming on the brakes, which can cause skidding.
• Use low gears: Low gears help maintain traction, especially on hills.
• Increase visibility: Turn on your lights and keep your windshield clean.
• Be careful on bridges and overpasses: These areas freeze first.
• Don't use cruise control or overdrive: These features can be dangerous on icy roads.
• Take it easy: Avoid sudden movements and don't panic.
• Wear your seat belt: This will help keep you safe in the event of an accident.

 
Cold Weather Shelters Open:

• Sea Island Presbyterian Church (81 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort)
  • Open: Thursday and Friday nights (Jan. 23 – Jan. 24) at 5 p.m. and closes at 8 a.m. the following morning
  • Dinner & breakfast provided
  • Showers available
  • No weapons, alcohol, smoking, or pets are permitted; however, service animals will be allowed
  • For additional information, call Sea Island Presbyterian Church at 843-525-0696
• Christ Lutheran Church (829 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island)
  • Open: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights (Jan. 23 – Jan. 25) at 5:30 p.m. & closes at 7:30 a.m. the following morning
  • Dinner & morning to-go meal provided
  • No weapons, alcohol, smoking, or pets are permitted; however, service animals will be allowed
  • For additional information and transportation assistance, call Christ Lutheran Church at 843-540-4299

 
Remember to Protect the 4 Ps:

• People
  • Minimize time outdoors
  • Prepare for power outages
  • Check on the elderly & other vulnerable people to make sure they’re ok
• Pets
  • Keep your pets warm, dry & indoors as much as possible
  • Ensure their food & water doesn’t freeze
  • Limit outside time & keep them bundled up
• Pipes
  • Insulate pipes if possible
  • Open sink cabinets to expose pipes to heated air
  • Disconnect hoses and turn off water to sprinklers
• Plants
  • Know their temperature thresholds
  • If possible, cover them before the cold weather sets in to help retain some heat

 
Contact Information When Reporting Issues/Outages:

• To report power outages/gas leaks:
  • Dominion Energy
    • Power outages and downed/sparking lines: 1-888-333-4465
    • Gas leaks: 1-800-815-0083
  • Palmetto Electric
    • Power outages: 1-866-445-5551
• To report issues with water/sewer services:
  • Beaufort Jasper Water & Sewer Authority
    • 843-987-9200
  • Broad Creek Public Service District
    • 843-785-7582
  • Hilton Head Public Service District
    • 843-681-5052
• To report cable/internet outages:
  • Hargray/Sparklight
    • 843-686-1138
  • Spectrum
    • 1-833-267-6094
  • Brightspeed
    • 1-833-692-7773
• For all emergencies, call 911
• For non-emergencies, call 843-524-2777
  • Utilize this number if attempting to report non-urgent information to Beaufort County law enforcement agencies, fire departments, or Beaufort County EMS.