11-February-2014 – Ice Storm

For the second time in two weeks the State was hit by below freezing temperatures, combined with rain, wreaking havoc on infrastructure and bringing the area to a standstill. The storm passed through the Lowcountry Region Tuesday evening coating the area in several inches of ice. This brought down trees and power lines throughout the county, blocking most roads, including I-95 and cutting electricity to 19,500 of the 21,000 power customers. Fire-Rescue recalled a little over a third of the career staff to bring up additional apparatus and ambulances. Many volunteer firefighters stayed for several days staffing their local stations. Seven 4x4 vehicles and several brush trucks were placed on the road patrolling areas and reporting blockages. Each was equipped with power tools, ropes & chains and crews used chainsaws to cut paths through roads so emergency vehicles could get through. Many roads were completely blocked due to low hanging power lines and trees. The Sheriff’s Office, Highway Patrol, SCDOT and County Public Works were performing similar tasks. Headquarters maintained a list of passable and impassable roads to coordinate responses throughout the county. Many roads would become impassable even after units cleared the trees due to new fallen trees, that fell after the crews had passed. This effort was maintained for three days, until reinforcements arrived from a small army of tree companies and out of state power crews that hit the streets Friday morning.

When the bulk of the responses began on Wednesday morning, Fire-Rescue responded to over 100 responses in a three hour period. Three additional ambulances were brought up and operated through Saturday, but still had problems keeping up with requests or reaching some scenes. In a few cases, 4x4 pickup trucks retrieved the patients and brought them out to the ambulances. At one point Thursday evening all ambulances were tied up on responses. The County EPD activated a shelter for persons who had no power. The Red Cross and DSS operated the shelter which had over 60 people staying at the Middle School. Many had special medical problems, so Firefighter-Paramedics checked in on them and transported several people to the hospital. Colleton Medical Center sent a nurse to the shelter at one point and provided oxygen tanks for several people seeking help at the shelter.  

Things were getting back to normal late Saturday as most roads were cleared, but thousands of people were still without power. Most roads were passable by the weekend. Power crews and tree companies continue to work to restore power to residents. As power is restored, some structures are experiencing problems with electronics or appliances. Some devices have begun smoking or caught fire. Additionally, some folks are using alternative heating methods in their homes, some of which have caused fires or medical problems due to carbon monoxide poisoning.