PICKENS COUNTY — Falling snow, icy roads and frigid temperatures shut down much of the Upstate over the weekend and left thousands without power.

The snowstorm, which caught many off guard after a particularly mild December, accumulated as much as 6.2 inches in the Northern parts of the county, making it the largest January snow in the past decade, according to the National Weather Service.

“We were without power for all of Friday, all of Saturday and most of Sunday,” said Kim Holloway who lives in Dacusville. “Luckily, we had a generator and a wood-burner when that ran out of gas, but I don’t know what the people did who didn’t have those things. It would have been a cold weekend.”

Duke Energy and Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative reported that on Friday there were nearly 3,000 people without power throughout Pickens County. The number one reason was falling trees damaging power lines.

“I didn’t see the tree fall, but I heard it,” said Hank Spurlink of Pickens who had a tree take out his power lines. “It sounded like a bomb went off. But I live in a wooded area. These old trees get all that ice on them and they come down. I’m just glad it missed the house.”

Spurlink’s power was restored the next day.

Others throughout the area made good use of the unexpected snowfall. With schools canceled and many businesses closed due to the weather, kids all over the Upstate spent their time sledding, having snowball fights and building snowmen.

“It’s his first time playing in the snow,” said Holloway about her 2-year-old son Lee. “We didn’t really have snow pants and all that, but we made do.”

Others spent more time indoors.

“My 11-year-old daughter played outside a little, she was excited. But my son, who’s 15, was kind of over it,” said RaSheda Williams of Easley. “Javon (Williams’ son) was ready to go back to school on Monday, but then they canceled it. ‘We’re just going to have to make it up when it’s warm,’ he said. He’s always been very studious though.”

Three snow make-up days are already built into the 2015-2016 school calendar: Feb. 26, March 25 and June 2.

Kim Holloway of Dacusville said it was the first time her son, Leo, had ever played in the snow. Holloway said they didn’t really have the clothes for it, but her 2-year-old didn’t seem to mind.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_001.jpgKim Holloway of Dacusville said it was the first time her son, Leo, had ever played in the snow. Holloway said they didn’t really have the clothes for it, but her 2-year-old didn’t seem to mind. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

It wasn’t just kids who seized the chance to play in the snow. “Master Splinter” enjoyed his time sledding in Six Mile.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_002.jpgIt wasn’t just kids who seized the chance to play in the snow. “Master Splinter” enjoyed his time sledding in Six Mile. Kala Jansen | The Pickens Sentinel

Snow turned much of the Upstate into a ghost town as businesses remained closed due to the icy roads.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_003.jpgSnow turned much of the Upstate into a ghost town as businesses remained closed due to the icy roads. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

County residents were advised to remain off the roads as far as into Sunday morning.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_004-1.jpgCounty residents were advised to remain off the roads as far as into Sunday morning. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

This snow plow skidded off the road and overturned just over the county line in Oconee County. Crews had arrived on the scene and taped off the area. Just up the road, more crews were clearing fallen trees off the road with chainsaws.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_005-1.jpgThis snow plow skidded off the road and overturned just over the county line in Oconee County. Crews had arrived on the scene and taped off the area. Just up the road, more crews were clearing fallen trees off the road with chainsaws. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

Falling snow, icy roads and frigid temperatures shut down much of the Upstate over the weekend and left thousands without power.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_007.jpgFalling snow, icy roads and frigid temperatures shut down much of the Upstate over the weekend and left thousands without power. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

By Kasie Strickland

kstrickland@civitasmedia.com

Reach Kasie Strickland at 864-855-0355.