ABC Columbia Tracking Winter Weather

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) —  As severe winter weather makes it way across the east coast, the National Weather Service issued a Freezing Rain Advisory for Newberry, Fairfield, Kershaw, Darlington, Marlboro, Florence, Dillon, Marion, Horry and Lee counties.

Meteorologists John Farley and Jonathan Kennedy are monitoring the local weather conditions. Follow them : @FarleyWeather @jkennedyweather

Be advised that the alerts are in effect from midnight Friday through 7 p.m. Saturday.

(SCEMD) — The South Carolina Emergency Management Division asks residents to prepare themselves and their homes for possible winter weather. The National Weather Service predicts freezing rain and ice accumulations in the Upstate and northern Midlands lasting into Saturday. State and local agencies are putting emergency plans in place for winter weather and urge everyone in South Carolina to consider preparations to keep your home, community, family, vehicles and pets safe.

Residents should prepare for the possibility of power outages, problems with pipes that are not fully insulated or at risk to burst and very dangerous driving conditions. Every household should have an emergency preparedness plan in place.  Start by posting important numbers by the telephone, such as utility companies and emergency responders. Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or other local news channels for critical information from the NWS offices serving South Carolina.  Be alert to changing weather conditions. Once ice begins to accumulate on bridges, overpasses and secondary streets, travel may become treacherous.  If you are on the roadway, drive slowly and watch for black ice.