“We need everybody to be their own emergency manager,” multiple SC agencies call South Carolinians to prepare for the winter

South Carolina – Multiple South Carolina agencies officials encourage South Carolina residents to start with their preparations for the winter as soon as now.

The state officials already started their preparations for severe winter weather and confirmed that they will be ready to respond during the winter months.

Representatives from various state agencies got together at the South Carolina Emergency Operations Center Tuesday morning for a news conference.

South Carolina Emergency Management Division Director Kim Stenson said, “We need everybody to be their own emergency manager.”

According to multiple sources, the severe winter weather is expected in January and February, but now it’s the real time everyone to start their preparations.

Unlike some other states, severe winter weather in South Carolina is rare, but every person should be prepared for everything. In February 2014, an ice-storm caused more than $250 million in damages across the state.

Deputy Adjutant General Brigadier General Jeff Jones said, “History has shown Mother Nature can strike in any location in the state.”

The South Carolina Department of Transportation said they’re prepared. Deputy Secretary of Engineering Leland Colvin said the agency has 1,200 pieces of equipment, 2,500 field employees and more than 60,000 tons of road salt on hand.

He said, “All of our equipment has been checked prepped and calibrated. We’ve also reviewed our routes as part of our operational plan.”