Police agencies across the state and Horry County took to social media pleading with drivers to stay off the roadways ahead of a massive winter storm that dumped up to 8 inches of snow along South Carolina’s coast this weekend.

The campaign started days before the snowfall hit on Saturday in the Myrtle Beach area. But unfortunately, a lot of drivers ignored those pleas.

South Carolina Highway Patrol reported that from 7 a.m. Saturday through 7 a.m. Sunday officers responded to 1,227 calls for service – either reported collisions or stranded motorists.

Troop 5, which covers Horry, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties, reported 235 collisions and 78 motorist assists in the same time period.

Myrtle Beach Fire Department responded to 79 calls for service from the start of the snowfall at 6 p.m. Saturday until Monday, according to a text from Captain Jonathan Evans. Evans said he wasn’t sure how many of those calls were directly related to the snow.

Conway Police Department tried a different tactic, using humor in its posts to try and sway motorists from getting on the roads.

“Since 6:00 PM, we’ve racked up 6 MVAs or as y’all say wrecks, yes, six. ... Here’s the deal: this is not your snow day highlight reel. This is not the snow storm party you were hoping for. Let your neighbors show off their shoveling skills instead of crashing into poles,” a post about 8 p.m. on Jan. 31 said. It came just hours after heavy snowfall began in the area.

And while it did make for some fun reading, they too kept busy over the weekend.

Conway police said that while road conditions will improve on Monday as the temperatures rise, “you still need to use caution. Icy patches are hanging around like that one song you did not ask Spotify to play again.”

Overnight temperatures are expected to drop below freezing which means that roads, especially side roads or roads that are not well travelled, will refreeze again.

“And yes, we know plenty of yall have been out and about like it is Pokémon Go launch day or Black Friday at 5 a.m., but those quiet side roads did not get the same attention,” Conway police posted Monday.

Still lots of ice on South Carolina roads

Master Trooper Joseph Rowell with the SCHP said that there is still a lot of ice on roadways, especially in shaded areas. “The biggest thing is people would have to slow down and take their time and plan for where they’re going,” so they can get there safely, he said.

Rowell said in the Troop 5 area there have been no major injuries or fatalities, but he realizes that “to the person who was in the accident that was the worst day of their life.”

It’s going to take a little longer for all of that snow to melt and for roads to get better, according to NWS meteorologist Ian Boatman. Cold temperatures and gusty winds are expected to continue, causing hazardous travel conditions early this week, according to NWS.

Rain, icy roads & weather this week

Cold air will move in on Tuesday, combining with snowpacks and strong winds to create dangerous conditions. Then, from Tuesday night into Wednesday, a low pressure system will bring chances of rain.

While the daytime temperatures will cause the snow to melt, the overnight lows are below freezing which will cause ice to form on roadways and bridges.

“By the time of Wednesday and Thursday, it’s looking better as far as major roads,” Boatman said. “But for everything to melt ... it’ll be about a week or more.”

SCHP said that there are still significant dangers on the roads. If you are required to travel, SCHP advised motorists to keep their speed under the posted speed limit and give plenty of space between yourself and other vehicles.

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