Upstate South Carolina sees spike in icy road crashes

Police limit responses to non-injury accidents as winter storm continues to impact roads

Feb. 1, 2026 at 2:39pm

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Upstate police departments in cities like Greenville, Anderson, and Spartanburg have limited their responses to single-vehicle crashes without injuries as icy conditions from a recent winter storm have led to dozens of accidents across the region. Officials are urging residents to stay off the roads while crews work to clear the roads.

Why it matters

The winter storm has created hazardous driving conditions across Upstate South Carolina, leading to a spike in crashes that is straining local police resources. By limiting responses to non-injury accidents, departments aim to prioritize public safety and allow road crews to clear the ice and snow.

The details

According to Greenville police, officers responded to 13 accidents on January 31, two more than the previous weekend's snowstorm. Police departments in Anderson, Spartanburg, Duncan, Mauldin, and Simpsonville have also announced they will not dispatch officers to single-vehicle collisions without injuries during this time. The National Weather Service reported the Upstate received 4 to 7 inches of snow, with wind gusts up to 35 mph.

  • On January 31, Greenville police responded to 13 accidents, two more than the previous weekend.
  • Temperatures are expected to remain cold on February 1, with a high near 32 and an overnight low of 12 degrees.

The players

Sgt. Diana Munoz

A spokesperson for the Greenville Police Department.

Howie Thompson

The Greenville City Police Chief.

Brian Horton

The Greenville City Fire Chief.

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What they’re saying

“Yesterday we warned everyone about how slick the roads were, and that danger hasn't gone away. Overnight, we saw wrecks caused by icy conditions, and as the day goes on, we're concerned that more people will venture out to shop or attend activities. Every slide on the ice puts residents and our officers at risk.”

— Howie Thompson, Greenville City Police Chief

“We have had a couple of our vehicles almost hit while we were out working on accidents. Please stay off the roadways and let us do our job. People are driving too fast. They try to slow down when they see emergency vehicles, and they start sliding.”

— Brian Horton, Greenville City Fire Chief

What’s next

Officials are urging residents to stay off the roads while county, state, and municipal crews work to clear the roads.

The takeaway

The winter storm has created a dangerous situation on Upstate South Carolina roads, leading local police departments to limit their responses to non-injury accidents in order to prioritize public safety and allow road crews to clear the ice and snow.