Agencies urging Myrtle Beach area to prepare for coldest nights so far this winter

The coldest weather this winter is moving in Monday night with lows predicted to be in the upper 20s, and agencies are urging people to be prepared as the chill continues through Wednesday morning.

Residents along the Grand Strand are expected to wake up to a low of 26 degrees at sunrise Tuesday, the coldest weather since a low of 29 degrees was recorded at the Grand Strand Airport in North Myrtle Beach on Dec. 20.

The freezing temperatures prompted New Directions of Horry County, Inc., which runs the four homeless shelters in the city, to declare a code blue emergency. Under the code, all displaced residents will be accepted into shelters to escape the bitter cold. Men will be housed at the former Street Reach, now New Directions for Men, and women will be housed at the former Lifeline, now New Directions for Women.

New Directions Executive Director Kathy Jenkins said the shelters were prepared for an additional 100 guests, but there was no way to tell how many would show up. More freezing temperatures are expected overnight Tuesday.

Dave Loewenthal, a forecaster at the National Weather Service in Wilmington, N.C., said Tuesday will be sunny with highs in the lower 40s. But with predicted winds of 10-15 mph, the “windchill is going to feel pretty cold,” he added.

The lows are expected to dip back into the upper 20s again in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, followed by a slow warm up.

Residents are encouraged to protect the three P’s – pets, plants and pipes on freezing nights. Pets should be brought inside.

“Pets are sensitive to severe cold and are at risk for frostbite and hypothermia during extreme cold snaps. Exposed skin on noses, ears and paw pads can quickly freeze and suffer permanent damage,” according to the Humane Society.

Plants should also be brought inside or covered.

To avoid costly repairs, pipes in garages can be protected by keeping garage doors closed and indoor pipes can be protected by opening cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate, according to the American Red Cross. Indoor heaters should be set at a steady temperature no lower than 55 degrees.

The agency also encourages homeowners to make sure pipes are insulated, drain water from swimming pools and water sprinkler supply lines and to remove, drain and store hoses used outdoors.

“Close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain. Keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break,” the Red Cross suggests.

“When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing,” according to the Red Cross.

This story was originally published January 4, 2016 at 6:18 PM with the headline "Agencies urging Myrtle Beach area to prepare for coldest nights so far this winter."