Bridges in Effingham County will be sanded starting Tuesday afternoon due to a predicted ice storm, Effingham County Sheriff’s Office spokesman David Ehsanipoor said.
An ice storm warning for Effingham County was issued by the National Weather Service in Charleston about 4:30 p.m. on Monday. The warning is in effect from noon Tuesday until 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
Ice accumulations could reach one quarter to one half inch with locally higher amounts near three quarters of an inch.
Schools in Effingham County will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the potentially dangerous weather. The closings include cancellations of all extracurricular events, including sports activities. All school staff should report for work on Tuesday morning at their regularly scheduled time. Staff will work a half day on Tuesday. On Wednesday, work and school is canceled for all students, faculty, and staff.
The Sheriff’s Office and Effingham Emergency Management will be closely monitoring the weather.
“Although we are expecting some snow, our biggest concern at this time is ice,” Ehsanipoor said. “When we do begin seeing winter weather, we are asking all motorists to stay off of the roadways.”
Ehsanipoor stressed how dangerous driving on ice can be.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve seen ice like what is predicted,” Ehsanipoor said. “Driving on ice very dangerous, especially on bridges and overpasses.”
Ehsanipoor said people should avoid driving if at all possible.
“People being out driving can cause problems and put our first responders in danger too,” he said.
The Sheriff’s Office will update the public on possible road closings during the storm.
Rincon Police Chief Phillip Scholl also urged the public to be cautious and monitor the weather.
Edwin Myrick, EMA director, said the warming center located at 2696 U.S. 80 in Bloomingdale in the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office substation will be open on Tuesday and Wednesday night.
Myrick said his office is in constant contact with surrounding EMA directors, Georgia EMA and the National Weather Service.