Weather Advisory & Preparedness Information for Woodside Residents

Stay Informed

For the most accurate and up-to-date weather forecasts and alerts, please monitor:

National Weather Service (Aiken Area Forecast):

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=33.5638736&lon=-81.7161534

WRDW First Alert Weather:

https://www.wrdw.com/weather/

City of Aiken – News & Updates:

https://www.cityofaikensc.gov/news-updates/

https://www.facebook.com/cityofaikensc/

Please check these frequently, as conditions can change quickly.

Power & Utilities

City of Aiken Water & Sewer

Water Billing & Service: 803-642-7603

Water Emergency (after 4:30 PM & weekends): 803-642-7620

Water & Sewer Emergencies: 803-642-7617

Aiken Electric Cooperative

Phone: 803-649-6245

Outage reporting: 877-264-5368

https://www.aikenco-op.org/outage-center-information

Dominion Energy – South Carolina

Customer Support: 800-251-7234

Downed power lines: 1-888-333-4465

Gas leak (from a safe location): 1-800-815-0083

Report outages or emergencies:

https://www.dominionenergy.com/south-carolina/report-outage-or-emergency

Please contact utilities directly for outages, downed lines, or gas-related emergencies.

Weather Safety & Travel

• Roads may become icy and slippery during freezing conditions. Plan travel carefully.
• Avoid unnecessary travel during freezing temperatures or winter precipitation.
• If driving is necessary, allow extra time and drive cautiously.
• Stay home when conditions are hazardous.

Personal & Home Safety

• Stay indoors during the coldest hours, especially overnight.
• Dress in warm layers if you must go outside, including a hat, gloves, and insulated footwear.

Keeping Heat in Your Home

• Keep your thermostat set at a consistent temperature.
• Seal drafts around doors and windows with towels or draft stoppers.
• Close off unused rooms to conserve heat.
• Open curtains during the day for sunlight and close them at night for insulation.
• Use extra blankets and layered clothing indoors if power is lost.
• Never use ovens, grills, or outdoor heaters to heat your home.

Prevent Frozen Pipes

• Let faucets drip slowly during freezing nights, especially on exterior walls.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
• Disconnect outdoor hoses and cover exterior spigots.
• Know where your main water shutoff valve is located in case of a pipe break.
• If you suspect a pipe is frozen, warm it slowly with room air or warm towels.

Generator Safety Tips

• Operate generators outdoors only, well away from doors, windows, and garages.
• Never run a generator inside a home, garage, or enclosed porch.
• Plug appliances directly into the generator or use heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension cords.
• Never refuel a generator while it is running or hot.
• Store fuel in approved containers away from living areas and ignition sources.
• Ensure your home has working carbon monoxide detectors.

Fireplace & Space Heater Safety

• Ensure flues and chimneys are clean and open before use.
• Keep flammable materials at least three feet away.
• Use fireplace screens to prevent sparks.
• Never leave fires or space heaters unattended.
• Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets. Do not use extension cords.

Heating System Cold Weather Guidance

Gas Furnaces

• Gas furnaces should operate normally in cold weather unless there is a power outage.
• During an outage, leave breakers in the ON position so the system can restart when power returns.

Electric Heat Pumps

• Ice or sleet on the outdoor coil can reduce performance. The system may struggle to maintain the thermostat setting in extreme cold.
• Do not cover the outdoor unit. It requires airflow.
• Do not chip or attempt to remove ice from the coil. This can easily damage the fins and coils.
• The system will switch to emergency heat automatically, but output may still be limited in severe conditions.
• Consider raising your thermostat a few degrees ahead of the coldest period to help the system keep up.
• Please understand, a heat pump in extreme cold combined with sleet will not be able to meet your thermostat set temperature.

Cold Weather Landscaping Tips

• Cover sensitive plants with frost cloths or sheets before freezing nights.
• Move potted plants indoors or into sheltered areas.
• Avoid heavy pruning before a freeze.
• Do not walk on frozen turf to prevent damage.

Cold Weather Pool Tips

• If you lose power, turn off pool equipment at the breaker.
• Drain pool pumps, filters, and exposed plumbing if a hard freeze is expected and equipment will be off.
• Remove drain plugs where applicable and store them safely.
• Keep water circulating when possible during freezing temperatures.
• If power is restored, restart the system and check for leaks or abnormal sounds.
• Contact your pool service provider for property-specific freeze protection steps.

Pets & Outdoor Items

• Bring pets indoors during freezing temperatures.
• Provide extra bedding and warmth for animals.
• Move or secure outdoor furniture and décor.
• Protect exposed irrigation components where possible

Check on Neighbors

Cold weather events can be especially difficult. If it is safe to do so, please consider checking in on your neighbors to ensure they are warm, safe, and have what they need. A quick call or message can make a meaningful difference.

Emergency Planning

For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.

Once roads are safe and accessible, the WPPOA will begin assessing tree damage and other impacts throughout the community. If you have damage to report, please send details and locations via email to wppoa@wppoa.com. Emailing versus phone calls helps us to accurately track and expedite repairs.

The Woodside Plantation POA will continue to share updates as needed. We encourage all residents to prioritize safety and preparedness during this cold weather period.

Thank you for your cooperation and attention,

Woodside Plantation POA