Winter Storm Update and Special Called County Council Meeting Next Week

Councilman Blount’s Newsletter 1-9-25

Winter Weather Update for Greenville County

A Winter Storm WATCH is in effect for Greenville County from 7 AM Friday to 7 AM Saturday. Emergency Management is monitoring the situation, with updates expected today on whether this will be upgraded to a Winter Weather Advisory or Winter Storm Warning.

Current Weather Timeline

• Snow Onset: 11 AM–1 PM Friday

• Changeover to Sleet/Freezing Rain: Around the Friday evening rush hour

• End of Precipitation: Early Saturday morning (6–7 AM)

Precipitation Forecast

Snow Accumulation

• 1 inch or less: Southern Greenville County

• 1–2 inches: I-85 Corridor

• 2–3 inches: Travelers Rest and northward to Highway 11

• 3–4 inches: Along and north of Highway 11

Ice Accumulation

• 0.10–0.25 inches: Along and south of I-85

• 0.01–0.10 inches: Along and north of I-85 to Travelers Rest

Potential Impacts

• Slippery roads, especially bridges and overpasses

• Glaze of ice on elevated surfaces

• Isolated power outages and downed tree limbs

• Black ice possible on untreated roads after the storm

Stay Safe with These Winter Weather Tips

Driving:

• Avoid unnecessary travel.

• If you must drive, go slow, use headlights, and watch for black ice on bridges and overpasses.

Power Outages:

• Charge devices now and stock up on batteries.

• Avoid using open flames indoors for heating.

Home Prep:

• Bring pets indoors and insulate exposed pipes.

• Have a supply of food, water, and flashlights ready.

Emergency Contact:

• Keep a list of emergency numbers.

• Check on neighbors, especially the elderly or those with limited mobility.

Helpful Resources

• For more updates, visit the Greenville County Emergency Management website.

• For a detailed briefing from the National Weather Service, click here to view the latest PDF.

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Greenville County Schools have announced closures for Friday, January 10, 2025, due to the forecasted winter storm. Instead of in-person classes, the district will implement an eLearning day, meaning students will complete assignments and receive instructions from their teachers online. As a parent of three children, I understand how much effort it can take to manage eLearning days. It’s no small task to juggle assignments, tech troubleshooting, and keeping kids on track, so I wanted to share a few tips that might help:

1. Check Online Platforms Early: Log in to your child’s learning platform (Google Classroom, Seesaw, etc.) first thing in the morning to ensure everything is working and to review the assignments.

2. Create a Workspace: Set up a quiet, dedicated spot for each child to work. Having a designated area can help them focus.

3. Set a Schedule: Stick to a routine as much as possible, with breaks for snacks and movement. Keeping structure can make the day go more smoothly.

4. Ask for Help: If your child encounters issues, don’t hesitate to contact their teacher. Teachers are prepared to assist during eLearning days.

The district has canceled all other school-related activities, including field trips and after-school programs, so this will be a full day at home for most families. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch, with 1-3 cm of snow and sleet expected, making travel dangerous. Families are encouraged to stay off the roads and monitor updates from the district website and local news outlets.

Stay safe and warm during the storm, and good luck navigating the eLearning day—As a father of three, I’ll be right there with you!

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Special Called Meeting: Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)

As I previously communicated in recent newsletters, I would do all I can to make sure that the UDO was addressed properly. Greenville County Council is committed to ensuring transparency and responsiveness to the concerns of our citizens. Due to the overwhelming feedback from the community regarding the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), we will revisit this matter during a special called meeting on Tuesday January 14.

We assured residents that no significant changes to county development regulations would proceed without a thorough review and discussion by the new council, in collaboration with staff. This review is essential to addressing the questions and concerns raised by the community and ensuring any decisions made reflect the best interests of Greenville County.

This process underscores our commitment to accountability and deliberate governance. We thank you for your continued engagement and input. Further updates and information will be provided following the meeting.

The meeting will take place on January 14th at 6pm in the Committee Room.

“Formal notice of this meeting will be issued later today in accordance with all public notification requirements.”

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Stay safe, stay warm, and plan ahead for the incoming winter weather! If you head to the store to prepare, at least save me some toilet paper please!