As final preparations were made by local emergency officials Tuesday afternoon, it wasn’t entirely clear what impact the winter storm expected to hit that evening might have.
Most likely, said Chatham Emergency Management Agency Director Clayton Scott, freezing rain and possibly snow overnight would lead to extremely hazardous driving conditions this morning.
People should use common sense and put safety above everything else, Scott said.
“We’re expecting a lot of ice,” he said in between conference calls with other key emergency figures. “The best thing I’d say is to just stay home until things get better.”
Throughout the area, schools and colleges had already announced they’d be closed today as are many businesses and nonessential government functions.
Emergency services — including fire, police and paramedics — will be on high alert through the storm.
Early Tuesday afternoon the National Weather Service repealed the ice storm warning it had issued Monday for much of Coastal Georgia — including Chatham, Bryan and Effingham counties — and issued a winter storm warning.
The change reflected the increased risk of snow impacts, said Charleston-based meteorologist Steven Taylor.
“The reason for the change is we’re expecting a little more in the way of snowfall in addition to ice,” Taylor said.
The predicted accumulation was about an inch of snow on top of a quarter inch of ice.
The warning, as of Tuesday afternoon, was scheduled to expire about 5 p.m. today. The high is expected to reach 36 degrees with a low around 24.
Preparations put in place
Throughout the region municipality, county, transportation and power officials prepared for the storm’s impact.
The city of Savannah had more than two dozen trucks loaded with sand on standby ready to spread it over any areas impacted by ice. Chatham County and its smaller municipalities had trucks prepared as well, Scott said.
The Georgia Department of Transportation was ready with truckloads of a de-icing mixture of stone and salt to be used on interstates, bridges and overpasses, said Jill Nagel, DOT spokeswoman.
Georgia Power also had crews prepared throughout the region.
The company’s chief concern was the impact freezing rain could have on its power lines and trees above those lines, said Georgia Power spokesman John Kraft.
When the rain reaches power lines or tree limbs it immediately freezes, Kraft said, causing weight to build up often to the point where limbs snap or lines fall.
In the city of Savannah, people should dial 311 to report downed lines that are not endangering people or call 911 if someone could be in danger. Downed lines can also be reported directly to Georgia Power at 888-891-0938.
Most importantly, Kraft said, people should stay away from downed lines whether they appear to be dead or alive.
The potential for fires was another major issue, Scott said.
If people lose power, they may be tempted to use gas-powered heaters inside.
“I’ve even heard of people using their barbecue grill to heat their homes in these situations,” Scott said. “That is incredibly dangerous.”
He suggested people have a fire extinguisher handy.
People should also exercise caution when using space heaters, said Ben Morse, Savannah Fire & Emergency Services’s assistant chief for operations.
“Any time we have any type of cold weather the biggest threat we have for fire in the city is space heaters,” he said. “Especially when we’re looking at an ice storm that could bring down power lines, you’re going to look at possible power outages. So we’re looking at people being in their homes with no power — maybe no heat and no lighting — we ask that people think ahead and plan ahead.”
Locals flock to gather supplies
Business at area grocery stores was up as residents purchased provisions ahead of the storm.
Kroger stores experienced more customer traffic due to the winter weather, as shoppers obtained household staples such as bread, eggs, milk and bottled water, regional spokesman Glynn Jenkins said in an emailed statement.
The grocery chain was “working diligently” to replenish store shelves during the influx, Jenkins said Tuesday.
That uptick stretched out to Tybee Island, said Mike Hosti, owner of the Tybee Market IGA. Hosti said shoppers were buying up canned goods and fruit at his store.
“It’s nothing massive, but it’s been steady,” he said. “Anytime anybody hollers bad weather, they just pile in.”
Fruit and canned goods was not the only thing people were stocking up on, however.
There was also an increase in sales over what is typical on a Monday night at Habersham Beverage Warehouse on Abercorn Street, manager Chuck Fountain said Tuesday morning.
“Savannahians are well known to stock up,” Fountain said.
Few downtown ahead of storm
While people loaded up on supplies, few wandered around Savannah’s typically busy Historic District Tuesday.
Normally a bustling spot any afternoon, Forsyth Park resembled a ghost town about noon. Young people lying on blankets and reading were nowhere to be seen, and even the tennis courts at the park’s south end were empty.
Lori Roberts and her midsized dog, Stella, walked north by the park’s landmark fountain toward their downtown home.
“I figured let’s get it in before the weather comes — if it comes,” Roberts said.
Roberts, wearing athletic pants and running shoes, was bundled up in a bright pink coat.
“If it comes this afternoon, I want to be able to get some miles in before,” she added.
The chance of a winter storm hitting Savannah even brought some high profile guests to town. Just to the south of Roberts and Stella, a TV crew with The Weather Channel was using the fountain as a backdrop for a live shot.
“We’re only four hours away,” said meteorologist Kait Parker after wrapping a live report. The Atlanta-area network sent crews all over to cover Winter Storm Leon, she said.
Downtown, Jim and Marylinn Engelbrecht were busy trying to get as much sightseeing in as possible before leaving town Wednesday.
The Rapid City, S.D., couple knows a thing or two about snow, so they weren’t too worried about the cold.
“We’re thinking, ‘Are they really going to close up? Really?’” Marylinn said. “But we understand ice.”
It was still beach weather compared to what they get back home.
“We had a blizzard with 36 inches at our house in October,” Jim said.
The couple was hoping restaurants and museums wouldn’t be affected by power outages.
With temperatures in the 40s, several people downtown headed indoors to warm up. West Congress Street pub and grill Molly MacPherson’s had a decent crowd of folks looking for hot food and cool drinks about 1 p.m.
“Actually, we’re busier today than we were yesterday,” said bartender Heather Sanders. “I think it brings people in because it’s cold outside.”
Officials: Don’t drive
If there’s ice on the roads don’t try to go anywhere unless it absolutely cannot be avoided, officials from across the region emphasized.
If people must drive, which Scott and other officials said should only be in an absolute emergency, motorists should drive extremely slowly, leave at least 8 seconds between their vehicle and any ahead of them and anticipate stops or curves quicker than usual. Drivers should not use cruise control, Scott added.
AAA recommends drivers who do skid on ice steer into that skid.
“The smart thing is for everybody to stay home,” Savannah Assistant City Manager Pete Shonka said. “There is really no safe way to drive on ice. It’s a whole different thing than snow; it’s just very, very difficult.
“It’s not worth risking your life, so just stay home and stay there until such a time that the conditions are safe to travel.”
Keeping warm
In cold weather, 60 percent of an individual’s body fuel is used to heat the body. As a result, people who are exposed to low temperatures and strong winds tire easily, experience rapid cooling of exposed skin surfaces and become more susceptible to hypothermia.
To prevent cold weather-related emergencies, do the following:
• Dress warmly in loose-fitting, layered, lightweight wool clothing. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
• Wear mittens instead of gloves. They allow your fingers to move freely in contact with one another and will keep your hands much warmer.
• Keep yourself and your clothes dry.
• Wear a hat. A great deal of the body’s heat escapes through the head.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages. Even though you may feel warmer, alcohol causes the body to lose its heat more rapidly. Instead, drink warm, sweet beverages such as hot chocolate or sweetened coffee or tea to help maintain your body temperature. If you have dietary restrictions, ask your doctor.
Heat your home safely
If you plan to use a wood stove, fireplace, or space heater, be extremely careful. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and remember these safety tips:
• Never leave a fire unattended.
• Store a multipurpose, dry chemical fire extinguisher near the area to be heated.
• Do not burn paper in a fireplace.
• Ensure adequate ventilation if you must use a kerosene heater.
• Use only the type of fuel your heater is designed to use. Don’t substitute.
• If your heater has a damaged electrical cord or produces sparks, don’t use it.
• Check extension cords for wear. Do not overload extension cords. If you are using a portable electric heater, it should be plugged directly into an appropriate household outlet. Do not use an extension cord.
• Good preventative maintenance in central heating units is recommended before cold weather hits. Have central heating units checked periodically by a professional during the winter months.
• Use fireplaces, wood stoves and other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak flue gas into the indoor air space.
• Do not place a space heater near things that may catch on fire, such as drapes, furniture or bedding.
• Make sure you have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your house.
Space heaters
• Allow liquid fuel heaters to cool before refilling. Then, refill these outdoors.
• Be sure to crack windows slightly to provide some ventilation. Liquid fuel heaters give off carbon monoxide fumes.
• Make sure heaters have the UL safety listing.
• Have 3-foot clearances in every direction around all portable heaters to keep away from combustibles such as cloth, furniture, papers and plastic furniture.
• Follow operating instructions and clean portable heaters periodically. Maintain the heaters according to manufacturers recommendations.
Pipes
• Cover exposed outside pipes with foam pipe insulation. It can easily be cut and slipped right onto the pipe.
• Put freeze caps on all outside faucets, then you don’t have to run them in freezing weather.
• Otherwise, drip outside faucets just enough so the water flows out in a stream about the size of a pencil in width. This prevents water from collecting inside the waterline and freezing, possibly bursting the pipes.
• Open vanity and kitchen cabinets at night during freezing temperatures to allow the warm air in the room circulate underneath, so supply lines don’t freeze and crack.
• Inside faucets don’t need dripping because the inside of a home is usually warmer than the outside. But, if there is no heat, drip the inside faucets.
Plants
• Cover tender outside plants with old sheets or plastic. Sheets are best because they breathe. Be sure to remove plastic before the sun hits it because the plastic will burn the tips of the plants. Don’t put it on too early in the day, because condensation under it can harm plants. Foundation shrubs should be OK because they are usually hardy enough to handle cold temperatures.
• Bring hanging and delicate potted plants indoors.
• Water outdoor plants deeply during the day when it is sunny — well watered plants are less likely to be damaged.
• It’s a good time to trim any damaged or loose limbs.
• Camellia lovers take heart. Unless the color is showing in the buds, they will be fine with the cold. If color is showing, cover the plants.
• A sprinkler running all night can protect extremely delicate plants. If the water freezes on the buds and leaves, don’t fret — as ice warms there is a heating action and once it freezes, it insulates at 32 degrees. Letting ice form on buds is a trick Florida orange growers have been using for years.
Corey Dickstein, Eric Curl, Julia Muller and Dash Coleman contributed to this report