South-Carolina
Is Greenville ready for weekend winter storm? How county is preparing
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Confidence is increasing that the Upstate will experience a major winter storm over the weekend.
A winter storm watch issued by the National Weather Service at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport remains in effect. According to the latest watch, travel on the roads during the storm will be dangerous due to the possibility of heavy mixed precipitation.
Power outages caused by significant ice accumulation on power lines and trees limbs are also likely, according to the weather service. In some areas, outages could last for days.
Meteorologists with the Weather Channel said the weather event could affect over 180 million people in the U.S. ― over half of the nation’s estimated population. Residents who experienced Tropical Storm Helene in 2024 may be wondering if the Palmetto State is winter ready.
Here’s what the Greenville County Emergency Management team shared, and why residents should prepare.
How much snow will impact the Upstate?
The National Weather Service’s urgent winter weather message, posted Jan. 22 at 1:30 a.m., stated a winter storm watch remains in effect from Jan. 24 through Jan. 26. In the message, the service said heavy mixed precipitation was possible, with total snow and sleet accumulations between one and three inches and ice accumulations between one half and one inch.
In addition to the Upstate, portions of Piedmont, northeast Georgia, and western North Carolina are anticipated to experience the effects.
“Significant ice accumulations on power lines and tree limbs may cause widespread and long-lasting power outages. Ice and snow covered roadways will become treacherous and impassable,” the National Weather Service predicted.
Weight from ice and snow on tree limbs and power lines may cause widespread power outages, which may last for several days depending on the area. Residents who commute on Jan. 26 should know that travel may be impacted by hazardous conditions. Highest snow and sleet accumulations are possible north of Interstate 40. Highest ice accumulations are possible across the mountains of South Carolina, northeast Georgia and southern mountains of North Carolina.
Those traveling are advised to consider delaying all trips. If traveling, the National Weather Service recommends carrying a winter storm kit that includes items such as tire chains, booster cables, a flashlight, shovel, blankets, and extra clothing.
“Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded,” the National Weather Service advised.
Emergency Operations Center preparing for ‘potential activation’ over the weekend
Pierce Womack, director at Greenville County Emergency Management, said that he and his staff are preparing the Emergency Operations Center for potential activation over the weekend. The facility serves as the coordination hub for Greenville County and includes all of the county department’s municipalities, or partner agencies (nonprofits like United Way and Red Cross, and the South Carolina Department of Public Health).
“All the different agencies would coordinate here in the Emergency Operations Center, similar to what we’ve done in the past for Hurricane Helene, the Table Rock Fire. It just serves as a hub for folks to work face to face.” said Womack.
If roads are impassable, overnight facilities will be available at the center for community members who need a place to shower, eat, and sleep. The center will be powered by a generator, and backup internet will also be available for use.
The Greenville County Emergency Management team will also be working with the South Carolina Department of Public Health, Prisma Health, and St. Francis to ensure that there are facilities in place across the county that can house general evacuees and individuals with special needs, like those who are on oxygen.
Roads to be pre-treated by South Carolina Department of Transportation
The majority of Greenville County’s main roads will be pre-treated and maintained by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), said Womack. Greenville County will be treating county roads, which mainly include secondary and subdivision roads. Most of the main roads will be handled by the state.
“The county will have salt and sand and different types of equipment to try to treat those roads,” Womack said. “The county really kind of comes in after the storm and starts scraping roads and putting sand and salt down as well.”
From past experience, Womack said main roads like Interstate 85 will receive clearance first. Treatment of secondary roads will follow.
Elizabeth Childs with SCDOT confirmed the state agency has 60,000 tons of salt staged at storage facilities across South Carolina. Brine and calcium chloride will also be used to treat roadways. Treatment will be prioritized on interstates, primary routes, bridges overpasses, and ramps, which tend to freeze first. Coverage will be adjusted according to weather conditions and severity.
“More than 4,000 SCDOT employees statewide are ready to respond during a winter weather emergency with 34-hour operations, deploying crews as conditions warrant to treat and maintain roadways.” said Childs.
Does the Greenville County Emergency Management team coordinate with utility companies for weather events?
During past disasters, Womack said he and his fire department were able to partner with a representative from a power company to clear troubled areas with many fallen trees and downed power lines. The team was able to get these types of areas opened first, and power restored.
“The power companies are very good about knowing which critical infrastructure, such as hospitals or merged operation center, things like that ― they know what are on each circuit. So they have some internal processes put together along with avenues that we have to kind of help speed up some of that in, in the trouble areas.” said Womack.
Essential supplies, tips residents should know about before winter storm hits
Womack provided the following weather preparedness tips in the event of a snowstorm:
- Make sure you have a full tank of gas and warm weather gear when traveling in case you get stranded or stuck in traffic (jacket, gloves, blanket, car charger).
- Prepare the home for a winter storm by leaving one of your water faucets dripping to keep the flow of water going. Be mindful of any busted water pipes.
- Purchase at least 72 hours of water and non-perishable food on hand like canned goods.
- Keep a cell phone charger nearby.
- Pick up any prescription medications your family may need in advance of the storm. The same goes for pet necessities and pet food.
- You will need batteries, a flashlight, and weather radios in case the power goes out.
- Residents who own generators are urged to use them in a safe manner under the guidance of the manufacturer’s recommendations. Generators should run outside to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Portable heaters that use kerosene should be kept far away to prevent materials nearby from combusting, which may result in a home fire. Make sure the heater is cleared out. Do not tip the heater over.
- Be on the safe side by spending a few nights with a friend or family member who does have power.
How to stay updated on alerts from Greenville County Emergency Management, SCDOT?
Once the Emergency Operations Center is activated, information from sheltering to warming center locations will be posted on the Greenville County Emergency Management team’s website and social media pages.
For real-time road and travel updates, the public should follow SCDOT’s website and social media channels. Information on shelters and power outages will be provided by local governments, emergency management agencies, and utility companies.
“SCDOT coordinates with utility providers to ensure road access for repair crews during and after winter weather, and any road closures are evaluated based on safety and communicated through official channels in coordination with law enforcement and emergency partners.” said Childs.
Nina Tran is the public safety and education reporter for The Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network. She has also covered trending topics for the newsroom. Reach her via email at ntran@usatodayco.com.
Jan. 27 was a great day to kick off the year and put much needed funds — courtesy of a record-breaking $47,501 check by Dunleavy’s Pub — in the Special Olympics coffers.
In addition to the vast number of regular events Special Olympics South Carolina provides for athletes around the state, 2026 is also a year of the Special Olympics USA games. South Carolina will be sending a delegation of 152 athletes and coaches to Minnesota at a cost of about $1300 per attendee.
All fundraising efforts are vital this year, reports Special Olympics South Carolina Director of Marketing & Development Sandye Williams.
The organization’s next polar plunge will take place in February on the Isle of Palms, followed by a “huge” bocce tournament on May 23.
Viist www.boccebash.com for more information.
South-Carolina
South Carolina woman Dana Kinlaw fatally shot, set on fire after she was ambushed by trio during meeting to buy puppy
A South Carolina woman who believed she was buying a puppy was ambushed by three brutes who fatally shot her, set her body on fire and left her to burn inside a car on the side of the road.
Dana Marie Kinlaw, 40, was lured to a rural road in Effingham, South Carolina, on Jan. 22 when she was allegedly killed by 19-year-old Iryanna Jarissa Fleming and 31-year-old Daquinn Taheen Thomas and Nikko Christopher Carraway, according to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials believe Kinlaw’s death was part of a retaliation murder for a recent killing in neighboring Darlington County, WBMF reported.
Kinlaw was driving with Fleming when they stopped on Atlantic Road near Springbranch Road in rural woodlands 95 miles east of the state capital in Columbia.
“Supposedly, they went there together,” Florence County Sheriff TJ Joye told the outlet. “Miss Fleming, she was 19 years of age, a friend of Miss Kinlaw, and they rode there together supposedly to buy a puppy.”
Fleming and Thomas are accused of setting up the fake sale for a pooch Kinlaw had been eyeing to persuade her to travel to the area where they allegedly launched their ambush attack.
Kinlaw, a South Carolina resident, was fatally shot before the suspected killers poured a liquid over her body and set her on fire inside the car, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies were called to the area about a car on fire and discovered the vehicle still engulfed in flames with a human body inside.
Florence County Coroner Keith Von Lutcken identified the remains as Kinlaw’s body.
Von Lutcken ordered Kinlaw’s body be sent to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston for an autopsy. The results have not been released.
Fleming and Thomas were both arrested hours after Kinlaw’s death and charged with murder, first-degree arson and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
Carraway was arrested on Wednesday and was charged with the same three crimes as his alleged accomplices.
Officials said the murder was related to another killing 35 miles away in Darlington County and involved Kinlaw’s son, but didn’t share further information.
“We believe there was a murder committed in Darlington County, which we made the arrest in Lake City that connects them to that arrest with Darlington County officials,” Joye told WBMF. “We feel that her son was involved in that in some way, shape, or form, and we feel this is a retaliation to that murder.”
Both Thomas and Carraway have a laundry list of criminal cases in Florence County dating back as far as 2014, according to court records viewed by The Post.
Thomas faced multiple attempted murder charges and violent armed robbery cases.
He was sentenced to 9 months in prison back in March 2025 for possessing a firearm as a convicted criminal.
COLUMBIA — South Carolina baseball junior left-handed pitcher Jake McCoy will miss the 2026 season due to a tear in his UCL, a ligament on the inner side of his elbow.
The program announced the news on Jan. 28. The season opener is Feb. 13 vs Northern Kentucky at Founders Park. The news release didn’t specify when the injury occurred.
McCoy would have played his third season with the Gamecocks, and came into this year with 26 appearances, including 15 starts. Of those 15, 14 were his sophomore season last year. He was expected to be the Friday night starter for South Carolina this season.
“I’m disappointed to share that I’ll be out for the 2026 season after suffering a UCL tear that will require Tommy John surgery,” McCoy said in the news release. “Even though I can’t pitch, I’m still going to be with the guys every day — supporting them, staying locked in, and doing whatever I can to help the team.”
McCoy is 5-5 with a 7.11 ERA in two seasons at South Carolina.
McCoy has 97 strikeouts in 76 innings and had 12 against Clemson in the rivalry series last March. That marked a career-high. He’s gone seven games striking out seven or more batters.
The Gamecocks are now in their second season under coach Paul Mainieri, who came out of retirement in June 2024 to coach at South Carolina beginning last season.
In his first year, they went 28-29 and 6-24 in SEC play, the worst conference record in program history.
“My heart breaks for Jake because I knew that this was going to be a very important year for him,” Mainieri said in the same news release. “He’s worked so hard at becoming the best pitcher he can be and worked so hard on developing a changeup this offseason that we all thought was going to make him a more complete pitcher. He obviously has a great arm and I felt that he was going to blossom this year, so it’s a shame that he’s going to have to go through this.”
McCoy is from Fort Mill, South Carolina, and played in the Cape Cod Baseball League this past summer, pitching three innings for the Harwich Mariners.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
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