A 14-degree morning!

Like much of the rest of the country, Oconeeans are bundling up to stave off the cold. At 5:30 this morning, the 2058 Westminster Highway temperature stood at 14 degrees. The state has warned we can expect sub-freezing temperatures for at least the next 24 hours, and everyone is advised to take precautions. Electric power outages interrupted service last night for portions of the Duke Energy and the Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative territories in Oconee County. Blue Ridge’s Terry Ballenger described it as a Duke Energy transmission line failure that cut off electricity to Blue Ridge’s Newry and Corinth substations in Oconee and its Gap Hill station in Pickens County. A late night fire broke out at a home in Keowee Key—at 18 Mainsail Drive. Because of the amounts of water used to stop that fire, those driving in that Keowee Key area this morning should watch for ice on the roads. Oconee public schools this morning remain on schedule at regular time. Governor Haley has ordered all state government offices and their employees to follow the same winter hazard schedule decisions made by the county government officials where their state office is located. If a county government office delays opening, state offices in that county will follow the same schedule.