ALLENDALE, S.C () — People in Allendale County are getting ready for the winter storm.
Leaders are focusing on safety and being prepared.

“The military taught me how to prepare, always be ready,” Allendale resident Tony Barker said.

People in Allendale County spent Tuesday getting ready for at least five inches of snow, according to our Vipir 6 Team. Schools are closed, and county offices will shut down Wednesday for safety.

“I insulated my pipes, made sure that, my windows are insulated also, but mainly insulating the pipes,” he added. “Make sure the water though burst or whatever the pipes don’t burst.”

Officials are keeping a close eye on conditions. Emergency services, law enforcement, and fire departments are on standby. The Department of Transportation has been treating roads since Monday to try to keep them passable.

“Whatever falls is gonna melt, it’s gonna refreeze and then we have a black ice issue,” Allendale County Emergency Management Director Kara Troy said. “So we’re just keeping that in mind.”

Flood-prone areas, in town and on the outskirts, are a concern, especially for the elderly.

“Just in case local DSS is always there waiting for us,” she added. If we have to open up a shelter, local Red Cross is already ready to come in to be able to man that shelter for us if we have to have that.

We met shoppers at local stores like IGA stocking up on essentials. “I’m coming to get some water and make sure we have candles, different stuff like that, Elizabeth Branson said. “Everything we need water, bread, cold cuts or whatever,” Fontella Haynes added. “Make sure we have enough, you know, canned goods and stuff,” Richard Brown shared. Just in case something do come up, we’d be a little prepared for it.”

Meanwhile, a briefing with state EMA leaders is set for Wednesday at 10 a.m.