Pierce has ‘record’ snow day
Pierce County experienced a historic snowfall last Tuesday and Wednesday as the local landscape was turned into a “winter wonderland” for several days.
Freezing rain, sleet and the heaviest snowfall in at least a generation fell over the county beginning Tuesday evening, January 21 and continuing through the wee morning hours Wednesday, January 22.
All areas of the county reported snow with amounts averaging around 4 inches in most locations.
The 4 inch total matches the modern record dating back to December 23, 1989 for the most recorded as far back as The Times records go around 1900.
The winter weather was part of a low pressure system that originated in the Gulf of Mexico and swept over the area out into the Atlantic. The moisture fell into an Arctic air mass that came through about the same time. Temperatures dipped as low as 23 degrees Wednesday morning.
Highs Wednesday and Thursday did not get out of the 30s and some snow and ice patches remained in shady areas as late at Saturday, January 25. Despite anxiety over road conditions and possible power outages, Sheriff Ramsey Bennett and Public Safety Director Blake James, Blackshear Police Chief Chris Wright and Patterson Police Chief Nick Strickland reported few major problems and no serious injuries because of the storm. Roadways, especially bridges, the Bazemore Drive Overpass and the Trudie Underpass, were coated with ice during the winter weather Wednesday morning. Ice and slush re-froze at night making driving hazardous.
Residents observed the warnings issued by local officials and only a few minor traffic accidents were reported. Temperatures hovered near freezing most of the day and the bridges re-froze that night.
Pictured l-r Addison and Avery Strickland of Offerman are shown with their Pierce County Snowman while Laney Rhea Moore of Blackshear pictured on the right is all smiles as she shows off her hand full snow and ice. For more pictures see page 10.
A'niyah Moore of Blackshear is shown with a snowman wearing a cowboy hat.
Faye Clark enjoyed a little ‘sledding’ in the snow.
Some sporadic power outages were experienced, but no long term power failures were reported either by Georgia Power or Satilla Rural Electric Membership Corporation.
There was, however, lots of fun experienced throughout the county as families — children out of school and parents off work for a “snow day” — built snow men, made snow angels, improvised sleds and generally had a good time.
Pierce County Schools, Pierce County Government Offices and Pierce County Courts along with Blackshear, Patterson and Offerman offices closed during the storm.
All local government offices had resumed normal operating hours by Monday, January 27.
Rowen, Ridge and Rhett Hiers did a Disney take on the classic snowman.
Maggie and Liam O’Driscoll slip and slide beside a very cold culvert.
Ellington Hill has an Elsa moment, but the cold never bothered her anyway.
Jose and Maria Reyes of Blue Lake Circle loaned an icy out of towner a hat and scarf.
Lily Sue Moore is all smiles on snow day.
When a cow shivers, you call it a milkshake. Two bovines say “Brrrr!” in Patterson.
Liam and Ayden Barron and Brandt and Asher Jason Ragsdale came to investigate when Mari-Wood plus one in Walkerville.
Dawson and Harrison Dial and Roman Boatright flex their snowman-building muscles on Golf Course Rd.
James and Lindsay Cox of Blackshear have their snowman ready to work out.
Blake, Rylin, Ridge and Ellie Blake of Otter Creek.
Elley and Natalee Dixon of Mershon kiss some chilly cheeks.
Emery Francese and the newest Southern Storm Allstars cheerleader.
Paislee Youmans and a snowman almost as tall as herself.
lyn Waters reported a stranger in the area.
Hollyn Streat, Ransom Griffis, Hyatt Streat, Mabrie Griffis, Parker White and Addison Hilton and the newest member of their crew.
Beulah Baptist Church was looking postcard perfect with a coat of snow.
