After the Storm: Winter Storm Gianna in Camden, SC — What You Need to Know
Over the past week, Winter Storm Gianna swept through the Southeast, bringing unusually cold temperatures, snow, ice, and hazardous conditions to the Midlands and surrounding areas — including Camden, South Carolina. This system, defined by record-low temperatures and significant snowfall for our region, has left many residents dealing with lingering challenges even after the snow has ended.
❄️ What Happened?
Winter Storm Gianna formed at the end of January and strengthened rapidly, dropping temperatures well below freezing across much of South Carolina. Snow and ice made travel dangerous last weekend, and many local roads and surfaces remain slick and hazardous even today.
🏠 Pipes Are Still a Concern
Even though the snowfall has tapered off, frozen pipes remain a serious issue:
Water inside your pipes doesn’t instantly freeze when temperatures hit 32°F — it usually takes sustained cold (about 28°F or lower for several hours) for pipes to fully freeze.
That means pipes can still be frozen for days after the storm, especially in unheated areas like basements, crawl spaces, and exterior walls.
Frozen pipes can burst if water expands inside them, leading to costly damage once they thaw.
🚰 Should You Add Water to Your Vehicle?
It might seem safe to add water to your car radiator or washer fluid, but cold surfaces and freezing conditions make this risky right now:
If water is added to a frozen or partially frozen engine system, it can cause cracking or damage as it rapidly expands when it refreezes.
This is true for radiators, windshield washer reservoirs, and other exposed fluid channels.
Best practice:
Wait until outdoor temperatures are consistently above freezing and roads/driveways are clear before adding water. If you’re unsure, check with a mechanic or service professional first.
🕐 How Long Should You Wait?
There’s no exact “magic number,” but here’s a general rule of thumb:
Indoor plumbing: If your home stays above freezing and you’ve taken steps to circulate warm air around pipes, most ice should start to thaw within a few days after temperatures rise.
Outdoor plumbing/vehicle systems: Wait until daytime highs stay comfortably above freezing (mid-40s or higher) — often several days after the last freeze — before introducing water to systems that were exposed to the cold.
Continue precautions for at least 48–72 hours after the storm’s coldest temperatures have passed.
🛠 Tips While Waiting
✔ Keep indoor temperatures stable and above freezing.
✔ Open cabinets under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
✔ Avoid running large amounts of water through plumbing that may still be cold.
✔ If you suspect a pipe has burst, shut off the main water valve immediately and contact a licensed plumber.
⛔ Safety First
Even though it’s sunny and clear now, conditions can still be dangerous:
Roads, bridges, and sidewalks may have black ice or patches of ice hidden under slush, especially in shaded areas or where snow has melted and refrozen overnight.
Temperatures may dip again in the early morning hours, increasing the risk of ice forming.
