The recent wintry weather event that occurred on Friday and continued Saturday morning brought snow, ice, rain, and even hail to Anderson County.
This created a picturesque yet challenging scene for residents to navigate icy roads and deal with power outages.
However, the snow also offered opportunities to build snowmen, sled, enjoy snowball fights, and hot cocoa by the fire.
Newcomers to the area were treated to a thick blanket of snow due to the wintery weather.
Rebecca Grimes and her husband, Bert, moved to the Town of Liberty from Florida to work and be closer to their daughter and grandchildren.
Despite the challenges of adapting to the cold climate, Rebecca Grimes said the family enjoyed experiencing the full range of seasons South Carolina offers.
She was accustomed to Florida’s warm weather and appreciated the beauty of the snow-covered landscape.
“We love the snow. It’s so beautiful here,” Rebecca said.
The Grimes family shared a photo of their home covered in snow, showcasing the stunning transformation of their yard into a winter wonderland. (Photo courtesy of the Grimes family)
The Grimes family shared a photo of their home covered in snow, showcasing the transformation of their yard into a winter wonderland.
Rebecca mentioned that she planned on spending the rest of the weekend cozied up on the couch with a blanket, a heater, and her cats.
Anderson families enjoy wintery weather
Since schools were closed due to the winter conditions, this unexpected break allowed children to spend more time outdoors, enjoying the snow, building snowmen, and sledding.
Residents of Anderson County shared snow fun with family and friends during the winter storm
Parents took advantage of the situation by joining their kids in these fun activities, turning a challenging weather event into a memorable family experience.
Anderson County schools are assessing the situation to determine if they will reopen on Monday.
A final decision is expected Sunday evening.
Residents of Anderson County shared snow fun with family and friends during the winter storm
Due to inclement weather, government and city offices closed
Due to inclement weather, government and city offices were closed on Friday. Government and city offices are expected to return to normal operating hours on Monday.
Local businesses also closed early, allowing employees to return home safely.
Officials advised that staying indoors ensures personal safety and helps road crews and emergency services work more efficiently.
Recovery efforts in Anderson County from the winter storm
Overnight, temperatures in Anderson County remained low, leading to black ice formation on the roads, according to Josh Hawkins, Anderson County Emergency Team Director.
Josh Hawkins, Anderson County Emergency Management of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office,
“Residents should be particularly cautious on secondary roads,” Hawkins said.
“As shady spots and areas covered by trees or buildings can remain icy after other sections thaw, these stretches may pose an increased risk of accidents, so it’s crucial to exercise extra care and vigilance when traveling in these conditions,” he said.
Hawkins said as temperatures rise throughout the day, roads will dry up.
Ice melts on a crossing sign where snow and ice glisten in the morning in Anderson, S.C. Saturday, January 11, 2025.
This should help reduce black ice, making driving safer for residents.
However, he expressed concern about the potential for black ice Saturday night if those roads don’t dry completely.
“Temperatures might drop again, leading to refreezing in certain areas,” Hawkins said.
A car slowly moves on cleared roadway along S.C. Highway 81 early in the morning in Anderson, S.C. Saturday, January 11, 2025.
What to know about accidents, downed trees and powerlines
Hawkins reported that there were 84 calls for service in Anderson County on Friday, with the majority related to roadway incidents.
“Of these, 45 were motor vehicle accidents attributed to the hazardous conditions caused by the storm,” Hawkins said.
Snow and ice glisten in the blue-sky morning sunrise in Anderson, S.C. Saturday, January 11, 2025.
The next highest incident reported was downed trees, with 27 trees obstructing roadways, he said.
“These blockages required an immediate response from emergency teams to clear the roads and ensure safe passage for vehicles.”
In addition to these incidents, seven power lines were reported down across the county, Hawkins said.
“These downed lines pose significant risks, including power outages and potential safety hazards for residents,” Hawkins said.
He urged the public to steer clear of fallen lines and report them immediately to authorities for swift action.
Here is a list of winter storm impact calls for service in Anderson County.
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Motor vehicle accidents: 45
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Other types of calls (Unknown Fires etc.): 5
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Total calls for service response: 84
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Total calls for service into 911 weather-related: 134
On Saturday morning, the Anderson County Emergency team reported that approximately 2,019 power outages were ongoing, representing about 1% of the total customers in Anderson County.
At the peak of the power outages, Hawkins said, they saw numbers exceeding 4,000.
“We also had 50 Highway Patrol transfers, which brings it up to 134 calls for service,” Hawkins said.
“These transfers can range from reporting a vehicle on the side of the roadway that’s broken down to a vehicle that’s been stranded due to the weather,” he added.
A car slowly moves on cleared roadway along S.C. Highway 81 early in the morning in Anderson, S.C. Saturday, January 11, 2025.
Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: What to know about recovery efforts after winter storm in Anderson