WINTER STORM GRAYSON: Sumter public schools canceled Thursday, closures continue to be announced

All non-essential Sumter County and city government offices will close at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3 due to inclement winter weather.

Decisions on Thursday work schedules will be made “late today or very early tomorrow on the county’s website, social media and local media,” said Joe Perry, communications coordinator for the county.

All City of Sumter parks will close at 2 p.m. until further notice, said Shelley Kile, communications director for the city.

Sumter School District will remain closed on Thursday, Jan. 4 "due to continued freezing temperatures," according to Shelley Galloway, a spokeswoman for the district. "The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and we will continue to monitor the weather conditions in conjunction with emergency management officials." 

Clarendon School District 2 will be closed Thursday, Jan. 4, District Administrator Tonia Smith said. They dismissed early on Wednesday.

THe U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Center will close at 1 p.m. Wednesday, the Sumter County Farm Service Agency announced.

McLeod Physician Associates are adjusting hours as follows: Palmetto Adult Medicine closed at noon and is planning to reopen at 10 a.m. on Thursday; McLeod Cardiology Associates Sumter and Manning will reopen at 10 a.m. Thursday; McLeod Surgery Clarendon will close at 3 p.m. Wednesday; McLeod Orthopedics Clarendon and Manning closed at noon Wednesday; McLeod Women’s Care Clarendon will close at 3 p.m. Wednesday and delay opening Thursday by two hours; McLeod Rehabilitation Clarendon closed at noon Wednesday; and Cardiac Rehab will open at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Sumter School District is closed Jan. 3.

Lee County School District canceled school Wednesday for students and dismissed teachers and staff early.

Sumter Family Health Center offices will close at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

To announce a change or closing due to weather this week, email pressrelease@theitem.com.

----------

WEATHER UPDATES

(All times are Eastern Standard)

12:36 p.m.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation is responding in affected areas of the state to Winter Storm Grayson.

Motorists should use caution when traveling today. In addition to possible icy conditions, motorists should also watch for slow-moving SCDOT equipment applying de-icing materials.

In the agency's District 1, which covers Sumter, Lee, Kershaw, Richland and Lexington, all operations are currently planning extended hours.

"Material stockpiles are at capacity. Plans are in place for replenishment after event if required," the agency said in an emailed weather update. "All counties are monitoring road and bridge conditions and temperatures."

Interstate-95 in Sumter County is set to be completely pre-treated by 1 p.m.

---

10:39 a.m., Jan. 3

Up to 3 inches of snow is now forecasted to be possible in Sumter County, according to the National Weather Service.