South Carolina, January 6, 2026
Residents in South Carolina’s Lowcountry faced travel challenges due to a dense fog advisory issued by the National Weather Service, which significantly reduced visibility across multiple counties. Motorists were cautioned to exercise caution on the roads. Additionally, the state reported seven fatalities during the New Year’s travel period, and Governor McMaster proposed over $1 billion in infrastructure funding to address rising construction costs. Local incidents included a hero’s response to a house fire and ongoing investigations into mail theft and drunk driving in Columbia.
Charleston, South Carolina
Residents across South Carolina’s Lowcountry and other regions faced challenging travel conditions Tuesday morning as dense fog blanketed multiple areas, significantly reducing visibility. The latest weather advisory from the National Weather Service (NWS) Charleston SC, issued at 8:09 a.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, warned of dense fog until 9:30 a.m. affecting Inland Colleton, Inland Berkeley, Inland Jasper, Coastal Colleton, Coastal Jasper, Tidal Berkeley, Allendale, Hampton, Dorchester, Beaufort, and Charleston counties. Motorists were urged to exercise extreme caution, slow down, and maintain extra distance between vehicles due to the transient and patchy nature of the fog, which could lead to sudden reductions in visibility on roadways.
This follows a period of widespread fog across the state. On Monday, January 5, 2026, dense fog advisories were active for Upstate South Carolina until Tuesday at 2:15 a.m., covering areas like Oconee Mountains, Pickens Mountains, and a multitude of counties including Cherokee, York, and Greenville. Additionally, Allendale County experienced dense fog until 9 a.m. on Monday, with advisories indicating visibility as low as a quarter of a mile. The Midlands region also saw dense fog advisories in effect until Monday morning. Prior to this, a dense fog advisory was active across Upstate South Carolina, the Midlands, and areas around Hilton Head Island on Sunday, January 4, 2026, updated at 8:31 a.m., cautioning drivers about hazardous conditions throughout the morning.
Statewide Developments and Public Safety
Beyond the weather, several significant updates impacted South Carolinians over the past 48 hours. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) reported a preliminary number of seven fatalities on state roadways during the recent New Year’s holiday travel period. This period began on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. and concluded on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. The report was announced on Monday, January 5, 2026.
In a major state-level announcement, Governor Henry McMaster revealed plans to propose over $1 billion in new funding for road and infrastructure projects across South Carolina. Made public on Monday, January 5, 2026, this recommendation aims to counter rising construction costs that threaten to delay critical transportation projects. Notable projects, such as the widening of Interstate 26 between Charleston and Columbia, and Interstate 95 from the Georgia border to Point South, have experienced substantial cost increases.
Meanwhile, Dominion Energy is seeking a 12.7% rate increase for South Carolina residents, a development updated on Monday, January 5, 2026. This potential hike could impact power bills for many households across the state.
Local Incidents and Community News
Local communities also saw a range of developments. In Hilton Head Island, a “hero stranger” was captured on security video responding to a house fire, an event reported on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 6:00 AM. Details regarding Hilton Head Restaurant Week, including the top 10 deals, were also published on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 5:00 AM.
In Beaufort County, a postal worker was reportedly fired for alleged mail theft and drug use. This story was updated on Monday, January 5, 2026, and further reported on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 6:00 AM. Authorities allegedly found several pieces of stolen mail in the suspect’s vehicle during a traffic stop.
In Columbia, individuals using a downtown crosswalk were struck by a drunk driver, a serious incident updated on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 7:10 AM. Also in local crime news, there have been no charges filed yet for a possible third shooter in a St. Helena Island case, with this update reported on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 8:00 AM.
A search continues for an endangered teen who has not been seen since leaving her South Carolina home. The search effort was updated on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 12:02 PM. Additionally, discussions around the security details for South Carolina’s elected officials in the current political climate were updated on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 4:16 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What was the primary weather alert in South Carolina on Tuesday morning?
A: The National Weather Service (NWS) Charleston SC issued a dense fog advisory at 8:09 a.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, for dense fog until 9:30 a.m. across various Lowcountry counties.
Q: Which areas were affected by the dense fog advisory on Tuesday, January 6, 2026?
A: The advisory on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, covered Inland Colleton, Inland Berkeley, Inland Jasper, Coastal Colleton, Coastal Jasper, Tidal Berkeley, Allendale, Hampton, Dorchester, Beaufort, and Charleston counties.
Q: How many fatalities were reported on South Carolina roadways during the New Year’s holiday travel period?
A: The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) reported a preliminary number of seven persons killed on South Carolina roadways during the New Year’s holiday travel period, which concluded on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Q: What is Governor McMaster’s recent proposal regarding state infrastructure?
A: Governor Henry McMaster announced plans to recommend an additional $1.1 billion in new funding from the state budget for road and infrastructure projects across South Carolina to address rising construction costs.
Q: Is Dominion Energy proposing a rate change for South Carolina residents?
A: Yes, Dominion Energy is seeking a 12.7% rate hike for South Carolina residents.
Q: What local incident occurred in Columbia recently involving a drunk driver?
A: People using a downtown crosswalk in Columbia were hit by a drunk driver.
Key Features of Recent South Carolina News
| News Category | Description | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Weather Advisory | Dense fog advisory issued for Lowcountry (Inland Colleton, Inland Berkeley, Inland Jasper, Coastal Colleton, Coastal Jasper, Tidal Berkeley, Allendale, Hampton, Dorchester, Beaufort, and Charleston counties) on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, from 8:09 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. | Local/Regional |
| Public Safety | SCDPS reported a preliminary number of seven persons killed on South Carolina roadways during the New Year’s holiday travel period (December 31, 2025, to January 4, 2026). | State-level |
| State Government & Economy | Governor Henry McMaster proposes an additional $1.1 billion in state funding for road and infrastructure projects. | State-level |
| Utility Rates | Dominion Energy is seeking a 12.7% rate hike for South Carolina residents. | State-level |
| Local Crime/Safety | A “hero stranger” responded to a Hilton Head house fire on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. | Local (Hilton Head Island) |
| Local Crime/Safety | A Beaufort postal worker was fired for alleged mail theft and drug use (reported January 6, 2026). | Local (Beaufort County) |
| Local Crime/Safety | People using a downtown crosswalk in Columbia were hit by a drunk driver (reported January 6, 2026). | Local (Columbia) |
| Public Safety | Search for an endangered teen who has not been seen after leaving her SC home (updated January 4, 2026). | State-level |
Now Happening on X
- @QuintinOnCamera (January 6, 2026, 4:05 PM): Hilton Head Island community is rallying to support a family who lost their home and had their business damaged on the same day. View on X
- @islandpacket (January 6, 2026, 1:10 PM): Security video captured a heroic stranger responding to a house fire on Hilton Head Island. View on X
- @WSAV (January 6, 2026, 5:30 AM): Deputies are being honored for rescuing pets during a house fire on Hilton Head Island. View on X
- @SteveJacksonVA (January 6, 2026, 2:07 PM): Security footage shows the heroics of a stranger during a house fire in Hilton Head. View on X
- @QuintinOnCamera (January 3, 2026, 11:05 AM): The Hilton Head Island community is coming together after a family lost their home and business in a single day. View on X
- @islandpacket (December 30, 2025, 10:30 PM): Police report that a hit-and-run suspect in Hilton Head threw a fake ID out of their car during the incident. View on X
- @islandpacket (January 5, 2026, 7:00 PM): Guidance on when drivers should stop for flashing lights at Hilton Head crosswalks to enhance pedestrian safety. View on X
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Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD
The HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHiltonHead.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, and the Gullah Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, plus leading businesses in tourism and hospitality that power the local economy such as Sea Pines Resort and Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
