Effective 4:00 AM on January 26, 2026, the non-essential travel restriction for Dorchester County will be lifted.
After careful consideration and coordination with our allied agencies 
including Fire/EMS, law enforcment patroling the roads, County and State Roads departments, and while balancing the safety of our first responders with everyday needs like getting to work 
or grabbing snacks for the kids 
, we have cautiously decided to reopen roadways within Dorchester County to ALL travel.
including Fire/EMS, law enforcment patroling the roads, County and State Roads departments, and while balancing the safety of our first responders with everyday needs like getting to work or grabbing snacks for the kids , we have cautiously decided to reopen roadways within Dorchester County to ALL travel.
That said… just because you can doesn’t mean you should. If you absolutely need to go out, please do so slowly and carefully 
. Otherwise, we strongly encourage everyone to continue staying home 
.
. Otherwise, we strongly encourage everyone to continue staying home .
THANK YOU, DORCHESTER COUNTYYour cooperation over the past day made a huge difference:
• County Roads crews were able to plow without vehicles in the way 
• Emergency vehicles were able to respond without delay
• No weather-related motor vehicle collisions were reported 
Because of you, first responders stayed safer and crews were able to do their jobs efficiently and we truly appreciate it 
.
.
ROAD CONDITIONS REMAIN HAZARDOUS While much of the snow has been cleared 
, ice is now the biggest concern. Some areas have thick, obvious ice, and there is also a high risk of black ice, especially overnight and in the early morning 
. Warmer temperatures allowed melting today, but freezing temperatures tonight and over the next several days mean slick roads will continue.
, ice is now the biggest concern. Some areas have thick, obvious ice, and there is also a high risk of black ice, especially overnight and in the early morning . Warmer temperatures allowed melting today, but freezing temperatures tonight and over the next several days mean slick roads will continue. Please continue to limit travel unless it is truly necessary.(And yes… we promise the ice will eventually be gone, maybe by June or July 
)
)
IMPORTANT REMINDERThe State of Emergency for Dorchester County remains in effect 
. Only the non-essential travel restriction is being lifted. If a vehicle becomes stuck or slides into a ditch 
, it may still need to be towed so road crews and Fire/EMS/Law Enforcement can respond to emergencies.
. Only the non-essential travel restriction is being lifted. If a vehicle becomes stuck or slides into a ditch , it may still need to be towed so road crews and Fire/EMS/Law Enforcement can respond to emergencies.
ROAD CREW UPDATECounty Roads crews have wrapped up for the night after working extended hours 
, but they will be back out at first light tomorrow 
continuing cleanup and treatment efforts to continue to make the roads safer for your travels.
, but they will be back out at first light tomorrow continuing cleanup and treatment efforts to continue to make the roads safer for your travels.