Shelters opening in Beaufort and Hilton Head. How cold will dangerous temperatures get?
The Lowcountry is bracing for below-freezing temperatures that will plummet far below seasonal averages this week.
Near the coast, the National Weather Service is forecasting a low of 28-30 degrees in Beaufort and around 32 degrees in Hilton Head Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, with temperatures even cooler farther inland.
The normal low for this time of year is around 45 degrees, said Courtney Maskell, a NWS meteorologist in Charleston.
Below-normal temperatures are expected the rest of the week.
Shelter space available
In advance of the cold snap, two churches are planning to open their doors Tuesday evening to assist those without shelter, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said Monday afternoon.
In northern Beaufort County, Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive in Beaufort, will open at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. The shelter will close at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Dinner and breakfast will be provided. Showers will also be available.
In Southern Beaufort County, Christ Lutheran Church, 829 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, will open at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and close at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday. Dinner and a morning to-go meal will be provided. Transportation to this location will be provided by Deep Well Project, located at 80 Capital Drive, Hilton Head Island, at 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Weapons, alcohol, smoking and pets will not be permitted at either location. However, service animals are allowed.
For more information, contact Sea Island Presbyterian Church at 843-525-0696 or Christ Lutheran Church at 843-785-6570.
The Weather Service is advising residents to bring pets inside and cover plants.
Andy Mattie, Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority’s director of field operations, said it is critical to prepare now to avoid pipe damage and service interruptions.
Simple steps residents can take in advance, he said, include:
▪ Shutting off and draining outside faucets and irrigation systems not in use.
▪ Preventing drafts in unheated areas, such as crawl spaces or garages.
▪ Having supplies such as heat tape, pipe insulation, a portable space heater and a hair dryer on hand.
▪ Locating the home’s master water valve and turning it off if a pipe breaks.
Below-normal temperatures are expected to last the rest of the week but it will warm up a bit with low temperatures expected to return to the 40s by Saturday night, NWS’s Maskell said.
This story was originally published December 2, 2024 at 4:34 PM.
