Snow hits SC. What Beaufort & Jasper schools, restaurants, government offices are closed
From Tuesday, Jan. 21 until Thursday, Jan. 23, some locations throughout Beaufort and Jasper counties will be closed due to the winter storm, which is expected to hit the area Tuesday afternoon and into the evening.
Here is a rundown of locations that will be closed.
This story will be updated as more locations release their weather protocols.
Government Offices:
All government offices will close early Tuesday and stay closed Wednesday.
County Workshop & Committee Meeting: The US 278 Workshop and Public Facilities and Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21, is postponed and will be rescheduled to a later date.
County Convenience Centers: County Convenience Centers will be closing at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, and will remain closed Wednesday. Thursday openings will be determined based on weather conditions.
Daufuskie Island: Lowcountry Ferry Service Ferry riders are encouraged to monitor the website for any updates. Ferry service is based on public safety, monitoring of weather conditions and the Captain’s discretion.
County Airports: Hilton Head Island Airport and Beaufort Executive Airport are operating normally at this time, however as potential inclement weather approaches, travelers should check with their carriers for any possible flight delays or cancellations. Operating schedules are subject to weather conditions.
Beaufort County Animal Services: Pets should be brought inside to shelter from the weather. Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them!
Hardeeville City Offices: Hardeeville City Offices will close at 1 p.m. on Tuesday and remain closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Jasper County Offices: Administrative offices will close Tuesday, Jan. 21st at 1 p.m. If the road conditions are unfavorable for Wednesday, January 22, they will remain closed.
The City of Beaufort (non-emergency): All non-emergency operations at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21 and remain closed on Wednesday. A decision on normal business operations beyond Wednesday depends on the evolving storm track and effects.
Libraries: Bluffton Library closes at 2 on Tuesday, Jan. 21 and will remain closed Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Beaufort County Auditor Office: The Beaufort County Auditor Office (Beaufort and Bluffton) will close at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21 will be closed all day Wednesday.
Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections: Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
There will be no Bluffton Rotary meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Town of Bluffton Offices: Closing Tuesday, Jan 21. at 2 p.m. and will remain closed on Wednesday, but employees will be working remotely. Thursday’s hours are to be determined.
Schools:
Beaufort County School District:
BCSD will have a half-day on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and an eLearning and remote workday on Wednesday, Jan. 22. (assuming electrical and internet utilities are functioning).
All district buildings will be closed. All after-school activities on Tuesday and Wednesday are canceled.
Updates for Thursday operations will be decided by 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22 (after Emergency Management’s projection of road conditions).
Half-day dismissal schedule Tuesday, Jan. 21:
• Elementary: 11:45 a.m.
• Middle and High School: 12:45 p.m.
Teachers and/or schools will provide additional information about eLearning.
Jasper County School District:
Jasper County School District will hold a half-day on Tuesday, Jan. 21. All evening athletic activities will be rescheduled for a later date.
Wednesday, Jan. 22, is a Professional Development Day for Jasper County schools, meaning that there will be no students in attendance at schools. Faculty and staff will work from home for the scheduled professional development activities on this day.
Updates for Thursday operations will be decided on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Technical College of the Lowcountry and Culinary Institute of the South:
The Technical College of the Lowcountry and the Culinary Institute of the South, will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
University of South Carolina Beaufort
All USCB facilities will be closing at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21. and will remain closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22. A decision will be made regarding Thursday’s schedule by 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
Grocery Stores:
Publix: All Beaufort and Jasper county locations are scheduled to open at 12 p.m. on Wednesday. Thursday hours are to be determined.
Kroger: Open for normal weekday hours from 7 a.m. to midnight but customers should expect low stock and potential order cancellations on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Harris Teeter: Open for normal hours 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
ALDI: Open for normal hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Fresh Market: Open for normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., but is subject to change based on weather conditions.
Walmart: Open for normal business hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Food Lion: 1008 Fording Island Road location open for normal hours from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., but is subject to change based on weather conditions. 210 Okatie Village Drive location is scheduled to open at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Piggly Wiggly in Hilton Head: Open for normal business hours on Tuesday, 10 a.m to 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
Medical facilities:
Riverside Women’s Care will close all locations by 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21 and remain closed Wednesday.
Affordable Health will be closed on Wednesday morning, Jan. 22.
Restaurants & Businesses:
Chick-fil-A in Bluffton (9 Malphrus Road) is closing at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 21.
UnCorked Wine, Bar, Food, and Music will be closed on Tuesday, Jan 21.
Southern Barrel Brewing Company will close at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 21.
Station 300 Bluffton will be closing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 21.
Slider Bar Bluffton will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tiki Hit is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Dunkin’ Donuts in Beaufort (2427 Boundary Street) will close at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
The Ice Cream Stop in Bluffton will close at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Poseidon: Closing at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan 21 and closed all day Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Nectar (Bluffton): Open Tuesday, Jan. 21 until 9 p.m. and closed all day Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Nectar (Hilton Head): Open until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan 21. and closed Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Giuseppi’s (Bluffton): Open until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21 and closed all day Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Giuseppi’s (Hilton Head): Open until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21 and closed all day Wednesday, Jan. 22.
One Hot Mama’s: Closing at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21. Closed all day Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Frankie Bones (Bluffton): Closing at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21. Closed all day Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Frankie Bones (Hilton Head): Closing at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21. Closed all day Wednesday, Jan. 22.
WiseGuys: Closing at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21. Closed all day Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Dockside: Open until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21 and closed all day Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Boathouse: Closing at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21. Closed all day Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Black Marlin: Open for normal hours Tuesday, Jan. 21 and closed all day Wednesday, Jan. 22.
CharBar: Open until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21 and closed Wednesday, Jan. 22.
SERG Takeout Kitchen: Open until 4 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21 and closed all day Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Kelly Tours in Beaufort is closed until Thursday.
Tanger Outlets is closed Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Water, Power, Transportation and Internet Providers:
Sparklight: Sparklight is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21 and 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Water has been shut off at all park facilities in Hilton Head to prevent and/or mitigate any damage caused by freezing temperatures. Water service will be restored and restrooms reopened as soon as possible. For further water safety tips in cold weather, click here.
Palmetto Electric advises its customers that due to potential ice accumulation, associated power outages are possible. While they do not anticipate historic or catastrophic damages, they remain prepared.
Palmetto Breeze Transit is suspending services on Wednesday, Jan 22, but will resume operations on Thursday, Jan. 23.
Emergency Contacts and Outage Contacts
To report power outages/gas leaks
Dominion Energy
- Power outages and downed/sparking lines: 1-888-333-4465
- Gas leaks: 1-800-815-0083
Palmetto Electric
- Power outages: 1-866-445-5551
To report issues with water/sewer services:
Beaufort Jasper Water & Sewer Authority
- 843-987-9200
Broad Creek Public Service District
- 843-785-7582
Hilton Head Public Service District
- 843-681-5052
To report cable/internet outages:
Hargray/Sparklight
- 843-686-1138
Spectrum
- 1-833-267-6094
Brightspeed
- 1-833-692-7773
For all emergencies, call 911
For non-emergencies, call 843-524-2777 (Use this number if attempting to report non-urgent information to Beaufort County law enforcement agencies, fire departments or Beaufort County EMS).
Department of Public Health Care Line is now available 24/7 to better assist during winter weather: 1-855-472-3432. This line is available to answer questions about interruptions to public health department services, provide weather-related updates and information.
Cold Shelters:
Burton Wells Recreation Center, 1 Middleton Recreation Drive, Beaufort, is now open. It is being operated by the Department of Social Services.
Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort, will open at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 19. The cold weather shelter will operate from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. through the morning of Thursday, January 23.
Christ Lutheran Church, 829 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head, will operate a cold weather shelter from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 a.m. from Monday, January 20 through the morning of Thursday, January 23.
Kingdom Touch Ministries, 6714 Tillman Road, Ridgeland, will open at 6 p.m. on Tuesday to assist those in need.
Agape Life Center, 5855 South Okatie Highway, Hardeeville, will open on Tuesday evening starting at 9 p.m.
Bluffton Self Help, 39 Sheridan Park, Bluffton, will be open Tuesday until 12 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday hours will be announced on their social media.
Winter weather tips:
Do not drive unless you have to. Staying off the roads, unless absolutely essential, will help ensure the safety of all and facilitate the efforts of emergency services.
Check on your vulnerable neighbors, friends and/or family to ensure they’re prepared for weather changes.
Bring your pets inside. If they’re too large to come indoors, make sure they have adequate shelter and access to extra food and fresh water.
Make sure to insulate your pipes. You can also leave faucets dripping and leave cabinet doors open during the cold overnight hours to prevent issues.
To protect your plants, bring them indoors. If that’s not possible, you can cover them with sheets preventing the frost from coating them.
Wear warm clothing: Dress in warm layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing. Wear a hat that covers your ears. Wear mittens and cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs. Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.
This story was originally published January 21, 2025 at 9:29 AM.
