Charleston County officials urged residents Tuesday to prepare immediately for a major ice storm tracking toward South Carolina that could bring dangerous conditions and widespread power outages.

The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings for portions of the state, with forecasters predicting significant ice accumulation from the Upstate through the Midlands. While Charleston sits on the eastern edge of the projected impact zone, city and county emergency management officials said residents should prepare for potential outages and hazardous travel conditions.

“We’re taking this storm seriously and residents should too,” said Charleston County Emergency Management Director Jason Patno. “Ice storms can be more devastating than hurricanes in terms of power outages and infrastructure damage.”

The storm system is expected to begin affecting South Carolina late Wednesday, with freezing rain likely across much of the central portion of the state. Meteorologists warned that even a quarter-inch of ice accumulation could down power lines and tree limbs, creating hazardous conditions that could last for days.

Charleston Mayor William Cogswell said city crews have been preparing since Monday, positioning equipment and coordinating with South Carolina Electric & Gas and Dominion Energy on potential restoration efforts.

“Our public works teams are ready to respond, but residents need to understand that ice storms present unique challenges,” Cogswell said during a Tuesday afternoon briefing. “Unlike snow, you can’t plow ice.”

State Emergency Management Division Director Kim Stenson compared the potential impact to Hurricane Helene, which left hundreds of thousands without power across South Carolina in September. Officials recommended residents stock up on non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries and any necessary medications.

The storm comes as Charleston area officials have been focused on other pressing public safety issues, including recent violent crime incidents that have dominated city council discussions in recent weeks.

Charleston County schools announced Tuesday evening that all classes would be canceled Thursday and Friday as a precautionary measure. The district said the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution” given the unpredictable nature of ice storms.

Superintendent Eric Gallien said buses cannot safely operate on icy roads and that many school buildings could lose power for extended periods.

“Student and staff safety is our top priority,” Gallien said. “We’ve learned from past winter weather events that it’s better to cancel early than put anyone at risk.”

The Medical University of South Carolina announced it was implementing its emergency weather protocols, with only essential personnel required to report to work Thursday and Friday. MUSC officials said the hospital would remain fully operational but urged patients to reschedule non-urgent appointments.

Charleston International Airport warned travelers to check with airlines before heading to the terminal, noting that flights could be delayed or canceled due to conditions at connecting airports, particularly in Charlotte and Atlanta.

City officials said they have identified several warming centers that could be opened if power outages become widespread. The locations include community centers in North Charleston, West Ashley and downtown Charleston, though officials hope they won’t be needed.

Public works crews have been treating bridges and overpasses with brine solution since Tuesday morning. City spokesman Jack O’Toole said the treatment helps prevent ice from bonding to road surfaces but cautioned that drivers should avoid unnecessary travel once the storm begins.

“Pre-treating roads helps, but it’s not foolproof,” O’Toole said. “The best advice is to stay home if you don’t have to be out.”

South Carolina Department of Transportation officials said they have 200 trucks positioned across the state with salt and sand mixtures. DOT spokesman Pete Poore said crews would focus on interstates and major highways first, then move to secondary roads as conditions permit.

The agency warned that bridges and overpasses freeze first and remain hazardous longer than other road surfaces. Officials said even experienced winter weather drivers can struggle with ice-covered roads.

Utility companies began positioning crews and equipment Tuesday in preparation for what could be extensive outages. SCE&G spokesman Matt Long said the company has mutual aid agreements with utilities in other states to bring in additional crews if needed.

“Ice storms can cause more prolonged outages than hurricanes because the weight of ice on power lines and trees creates ongoing hazards,” Long said. “Our crews can’t work safely until the ice melts, which extends restoration times.”

Emergency management officials urged residents to avoid using generators, grills or other fuel-burning devices indoors, noting that carbon monoxide poisoning increases during power outages. They also warned against using ovens or stovetops to heat homes.

The American Red Cross opened a shelter planning hotline for residents who might need temporary housing if power outages become extended. The organization said it was coordinating with local government officials to identify potential shelter locations.

Charleston Fire Chief Daniel Curia said the department has positioned additional equipment at fire stations across the city and coordinated with EMS services on emergency response plans.

“Ice storms create unique hazards,” Curia said. “Downed power lines, falling tree limbs and vehicle accidents all increase during these events.”

The National Weather Service said the storm system would likely move through the region by Friday evening, with temperatures expected to rise above freezing over the weekend. However, forecasters cautioned that ice could remain on roads and sidewalks longer than expected, particularly in shaded areas.

Weather service meteorologist Jonathan Lamb said residents should monitor forecasts closely as the storm approaches, noting that small changes in temperature or precipitation type could significantly alter local impacts.

“Ice storms are notoriously difficult to forecast precisely,” Lamb said. “We’re confident in the overall pattern, but residents need to stay informed about changing conditions.”

County emergency management officials plan to provide regular updates through their social media channels and the county’s website starting Wednesday evening. They urged residents to have battery-powered or hand-crank radios available in case of extended power outages.

The Charleston area has not experienced a significant ice storm since February 2014, when freezing rain caused widespread outages and hazardous conditions for several days. That storm knocked out power to more than 200,000 customers statewide and caused numerous traffic accidents.