Monday’s weather worries

With the second winter storm of the season possibly on the horizon, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is making preparations and stands ready to respond. “Monday is President’s Day and will be a county holiday with all county governmental offices closed,” says Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw. “However, the Sheriff’s Office is making preparations now for a weather system where all types of weather are being forecast for Monday.  All of our normal and routine enforcement operations and patrols, regardless of the holiday, will go on with officers working their normal and assigned shifts and our E-911 Communications Center being staffed just like was any other day.”      “We want to remind our citizens that if they are in need of law enforcement assistance in the county during this storm or anytime, please contact the Sheriff’s Office and we will respond to those calls,” continues the Sheriff.  “The Sheriff’s Office will be ready to respond and assist our citizens.  If you have a medical emergency, please call 911 and assistance will be there.  We have vehicles at the ready with snow tires and 4 wheel drive pickups that can be used as primary response vehicles.  Regardless, our routine law enforcement operations will go on as normal.”  Crenshaw also recommends that citizen’s check on seniors or those who may be homebound to make sure they are okay during the impending storm. The Sheriff’s Office will be glad to go check on anyone in the event they cannot be contacted by telephone.  In regards to pets, the Sheriff recommends bringing pets inside during the upcoming storm if you can, however, pets can legally remain outside during the storm as long as they have adequate shelter and access to food and water.  The Sheriff’s Office that you have an alternate source of heat if possible with the cold weather being forecast, plus, an adequate supply of batteries and candles in case the power goes out as well as food and medication for up to three to five days.  Also, generators should always be operated outside at all times and never brought inside.