Bulloch County residents awoke to a rare winter wonderland this morning, Wednesday, January 22, 2025, as a blanket of snow covered the area. However, the picturesque scene is accompanied by hazardous road conditions, prompting local authorities to urge residents to shelter in place.
Heavy snowfall, which began after dark on Tuesday and continued throughout the night, has accumulated significantly. Grice Connect recorded 3.5 inches of snow at their downtown Statesboro office, with reports of over 4 inches in other parts of the community.
While the snowfall has created a beautiful landscape, public safety officials are emphasizing the dangers of travel. Both the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office and the Statesboro Police Department are advising residents to stay off the roads until an all-clear is given. Fortunately, most citizens heeded prior warnings, resulting in a relatively quiet night for public safety.
Despite the heavy snow, power outages have been minimal. Georgia Power and Excelsior EMC are reporting less than 12 outages combined.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Charleston issued a Winter Storm Warning, which remains in effect until noon today. At 5:30 a.m., the temperature was a frigid 26 degrees, and the NWS forecasts temperatures to remain near or below freezing throughout the day.
NWS Charleston Weather Bulletin:
The Winter Storm Warning issued by the NWS Charleston includes the following key points:
- What: Heavy snow with additional accumulations of one to two inches expected, with the highest amounts along and east of I-95.
- Where: The warning covers Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Evans, Jenkins, Screven, and Tattnall Counties in Georgia, and several counties in South Carolina.
- When: The warning is in effect until noon EST today.
- Impacts: Roads, especially bridges and overpasses, are likely to be slick and hazardous. Slippery road conditions are expected to impact the Wednesday morning commute.3
- Additional Details: There is a risk of sleet along the coastal counties before it transitions to snow.
The NWS urge people to stay indoors until conditions improve and to dress in layers if they must go outside.
For now, residents are encouraged to stay warm, enjoy the rare winter scene, and await further updates from local authorities. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.