| Sleet, Freezing Rain Cause Power Outages |
| COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Many South
Carolinians woke up this Sunday morning to sleet, snow and freezing
rain. The winter weather was expected to stop by noon. The Weather
Service says freezing rain is expected to continue across the
northeast corner of the state with ice accumulations of one-quarter
to one-half inch in the area west of Interstate 95. In the Pee Dee, Progress Energy reported that 18,000 homes were without power. Company spokeswoman Julie Hans says that is mostly in Florence and Hartsville. Hans says the rain freezing on power lines and tree limbs caused most of the outages. Snow will mix in more heavily later this morning with snow accumulations as much as four inches possible from Darlington to Bennettsville. Temperatures along the south coast including Charleston remained above freezing ending the winter weather advisory there. Elsewhere, rain freezing on roads created an icy mess for early morning travelers. The South Carolina Transportation Department says this morning that slush is on Interstate 20 from Aiken through Camden. The Transportation Department also reported slush on Interstate 77 in Midlands counties including Richland and Lexington. Ice patches were reported on Interstates 26 and 85 in Laurens County where temperatures remained below freezing at 9 a.m. News19 has phone numbers and addresses you need to know in case of power outages and any other emergencies caused by winter weather. As far as the Columbia area, Mayor Bob Coble says Public Works is ready to go with scrapers and spreaders to clear the roads for morning travelers. If you have a power loss, the city will open the MLK Park on Greene Street and Hyatt Park at 950 Jackson Street. Or you can go to a nearby fire station. Senior assistance tranport: 545-3500 Water Main Breaks: 545-3900 For Power Outages: Carolina Power and Light: 1-800-419-6356 (Kershaw, Sumter, Lee, Clarendon counties) Fairfield Electric Co-op: 1-800-499-7862 Mid-Carolina Electric Co-Op: 803-749-6555 (Lexington, Richland, Saluda, Aiken) Newberry Electrick Co-op: 803-276-112 Progress Energy: 1-800-419-6356 South Carolina Electric and Gas: 803-748-3027 in Columbia and 800-251-7234 outside of Columbia Latest Road Conditions in S.C. |