Urgent Care Clinic Near Savannah, GA

Buc-ee's fans couldn't wait for the new Brunswick location to open last year, especially those around Savannah. Now they already can't wait for the next one, and while there isn't much in Georgia news, there is a South Carolina project worth watching.

Is Savannah getting another Buc-ee's? Where will it be?

A new Buc-ee's is planned for Hardeeville in Jasper County, about 25 minutes up I-95 from the Savannah area. It will occupy a 46-acre site within the larger Hardee Station development located at Exit 8 off I-95, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 278 and Highway 17.

Once completed, this would put it just 20-30 miles outside of the Savannah area, depending on where specifically you live. Currently, the nearest is in Brunswick, over 60 miles away.

Buc-ee's eyes Hardeeville, Jasper County

The Hardeeville Buc-ee's location in Jasper County is expected to include dozens of fuel pumps and electric-vehicle charging stations, serving both traditional and eco-friendly travelers. Key features include a bicycle plaza and several scenic ponds that enhance the visitor experience, according to multiple media reports.

When will Buc-ee's Hardeeville construction start? When will it open?

Construction on the new Buc-ee’s in Hardeeville is expected to begin in early 2026. Josh Gruber, Hardeeville city manager, said the town's goal is to meet residents' needs.

"Basically, what that means is, for a resident to be able to go to the grocery store, go out to eat, have retail recreation opportunities, can get all of those needs met, and do that within the city of Hardeeville, rather than having them have to get in a car and drive someplace else outside the city," Gruber said in an interview with media outlet WJCL.

When is the Hardeeville, SC, Buc-ee's expected to open?

The projected completion date is 2031, according to Buc-ee's.

What Buc-ee's locations are opening in 2026?

The following Buc-ee's locations are set to open in 2026, according to USA TODAY.

Where are Buc-ee's?

There are currently three open Georgia Buc-ee's in Brunswick, Calhoun, and Warner Robins. South Carolina has one in Florence.

What are Buc-ee's pay rates?

Pay rates at Buc-ee's depend on the position. But cashiers, grocery associates, gift associates, and janitorial/cleaning and maintenance attendants all make $18.

Meanwhile, deli/food service associates, bookkeepers, and grocery team leads make $21. For more info, go to buc-ees.com/careers/.

Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at.

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A planned high-voltage transmission line by Georgia Power has sparked controversy in Chatham County, where residents are pushing for a change in the project’s path to save a centuries-old oak tree they consider priceless.

The dispute centers on a property off Little Neck Road, where a sprawling oak tree—estimated to be around 300 years old—stands in the front yard of homeowner Paul Grizzard. Survey stakes marking the proposed transmission line stretch across the property, extending past the massive tree that has become the focal point of the debate.

“I would have not put the home here, had it not been for the tree,” Grizzard said. He has lived in the house for decades, but the oak predates the home by centuries.

Grizzard and his partner, Jim Ball, say they were initially told that only a few branches would need to be trimmed to accommodate the power lines. They claim they were only recently informed that the entire tree would have to be removed.

“We didn’t have a problem with the power lines as long as the tree’s there,” Ball said.

A spokesperson for Georgia Power confirmed that two oak trees along the route had been identified for removal. The company maintains that the transmission line’s path was carefully designed to minimize environmental impact while meeting growing energy demands.

“It means that rates won’t go up, it means that we can meet the demand and it takes the pressure off our families and small businesses,” said Josh Peacock, an external communicator for Georgia Power.

The oak’s size makes the potential removal a significant undertaking. The tree spans from one driveway to another, its wide canopy dominating the front of the property. But for Grizzard and Ball, its importance goes far beyond its physical dimensions.

Grizzard shared that Ball suffered a devastating accident that left him paralyzed for two years. During that time, Ball spent countless hours on the front porch beneath the oak’s canopy.

“Jim was in an accident. His neck was broken. He was paralyzed and for two years he was in a wheelchair and he sat on this front porch and the tree is responsible, I believe, for me not having to carry a wheelchair and push him,” Grizzard said, describing the shade and comfort the tree provided during Ball’s recovery.

In a dramatic development, a Chatham County arborist engineer recently designated the oak as “exceptional.” Under county ordinance, that classification recognizes the tree as a public landmark that “shall not be destroyed or endangered.”

The designation creates a major obstacle for Georgia Power’s plans. Years of project planning now stand at odds with Chatham County’s land-disturbing activities ordinance, setting the stage for a potential legal and regulatory battle.

For Grizzard and Ball, the ruling offers hope that their historic oak—and the memories rooted beneath it—may yet be spared.

A Winter Storm Warning, Winter Weather Advisory, and an Extreme Cold Warning has been issued for Southeast Georgia and the Lowcountry, warning of hazardous travel and potentially dangerous cold this weekend.

Winter Storm Warning & Winter Weather Advisor

The winter storm warning is in effect from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon, with snow possible and total accumulations of 1 to 2 inches forecast for Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Jenkins and Screven counties in Georgia, and Allendale, Beaufort, Charleston, Dorchester, Hampton, Berkeley, Colleton and Jasper counties in South Carolina, including communities such as Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Beaufort, Hilton Head Island, Walterboro, Ridgeland, Statesboro and Millen. Most counties south of I-16 have now been included in a Winter Weather Advisory from Saturday-Sunday morning, with some snow possible.

Extreme Cold Warning

The Extreme Cold Warning is in effect from Saturday evening through Sunday morning, with dangerously cold wind chills into the single digits possible. The watch covers Jenkins, Screven, Candler, Bulloch, Effingham, Tattnall, Evans, inland and coastal Bryan, inland and coastal Chatham, Long, inland and coastal Liberty, inland and coastal McIntosh, and inland and coastal Colleton, as well as Dorchester, inland Berkeley, tidal Berkeley, inland and coastal Jasper, Beaufort, Charleston, Allendale and Hampton.

Forecasters warn that frostbite and hypothermia could occur if unprotected skin is exposed to the cold. An extended period of freezing temperatures could also cause ruptured water pipes.

Officials urged residents to monitor updated forecasts, check on older neighbors and family members, use portable heaters properly, and avoid using generators or grills indoors.

Initial report:

Savannah, Ga. (WJCL)-There will be increasing clouds throughout the day with highs in the lower-60s.

Alert Days: Winter will impact Coastal Georgia and Lowcountry this weekend. A low-pressure system will develop off the southeast coast on Saturday. There is a chance for showers early Saturday, but as the low-pressure lifts north very cold air will dive into Coastal Georgia and Lowcountry.

Temperatures will fall near freezing in the afternoon on Saturday. So, the showers will change over to snow on Saturday afternoon. Right now, the best chance for snow will be for areas along and north of I-16, some areas could pick up 1-2”.

The Savannah area could pick up dusting to nearly one inch, this is mainly in grassy areas. For areas south of Savannah could see a few flurries in the afternoon.

Frigid air will dominate the weather on Sunday with morning lows in the upper teens to lower-20s, plus the feels like temperature near 5-10° and afternoon highs only in the upper-30s.

Here we go again, Georgia.

Snow is expected across the state this weekend as a bomb cyclone moves in from the Atlantic and hits cold air already in place. It could bring as much as 6 inches of snow to certain parts of the state, while coastal cities like Savannah are expected up to an inch.

Here we have forecasts, predictions, snow totals and how you should be prepared before and after the snow moves through.

Follow along for more of the winter storm.

4:45 p.m. | National Weather Service provides latest snow total updates

2:30 p.m. | Gov. Brian Kemp issues State of Emergency

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather warning for Coastal Bryan, Chatham, Liberty and McIntosh County’s, among other areas. The warning is in effect from noon Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday.

"While Mother Nature may not be giving us a break with these back-to-back storms, the good news is we don't take any days off when it comes to keeping Georgia communities prepared and safe," said Kemp in a press release. "Along with our state partners, we have been monitoring this new winter storm well ahead of its arrival and preparing for whatever it may bring. While the weather event will mostly impact north and east Georgia, extending all the way to the coast, I've declared a statewide State of Emergency so we can more easily move resources to the areas expecting impact and stage those assets ahead of the storm."

— Latrice Williams, Savannah Morning News

2:15 p.m. | How to prepare your house for winter storm

Georgia Power recommends keeping your thermostat to 68 degrees at most during the winter. In general, the colder it is outside plus the warmer you're trying to keep it inside equals higher energy bills and more stress to your heating/cooling system.

During the extreme cold and/or winter storms, if you're tempted to lower your thermostat for efficiency, just keep in mind that your home should be kept to at least 55 degrees inside to prevent pipes from freezing. Also, if there's a power outage, you'll want to be sure your home is sufficiently warm in advance.

Read full story below.

— Miguel Legoas, USA Today Deep South Connect

1:45 p.m. | NWS explains how to measure snow

12:45 p.m. | National Weather Service extends warning

11:30 a.m. | How much snow will Georgia get?

Heavier snow is being predicted in the northeast corner of the state, with up to 6 inches expected in areas.

The National Weather Service's probabilistic snowfall map has predicted a heavy round of snowfall for parts of east Georgia, especially the northeast. But areas as far south as the Georgia coast could also see some snow.

Higher elevations and northeast Georgia appear most likely to see accumulating snow.

See more totals expected around the state by clicking the button below.

Will it snow tomorrow in Georgia?

The National Weather Service timeline has snow beginning around 7 p.m. Friday with peak snow potential hitting overnight. The snow could last until early Sunday. It also warns of the coldest wind chills coming overnight Sunday into early Sunday morning, where it could be below 0 degrees.

Georgia radar

Winter Storm in Savannah? What to expect for snow

It's a Christmas miracle, 37 days later! Yet another Arctic surge heads toward the Southeast this weekend. This time, it will likely bring snow to Savannah Saturday afternoon.

Savannahians may remember a similar snowfall event late last January, full of scarfed snowmen and ice lining windshields and streets. But that hard-packed snow was technically 99% sleet, according to Savannah-based geopolitical and economics research and modeling firm Enki Research. When snow fell, the atmosphere warmed up the flakes into water, refrozen into icier pellets.

But this year, Savannahians can expect fluffy flakes, each with its own distinct shape.

Full story below.

— Jillian Magtoto, Savannah Morning News

What is a bomb cyclone? When it will hit Georgia

Georgia has another mass of winter weather coming in the next couple of days, just a week after the last one. But this one is different, in no small part because it looks like it could reach "bomb cyclone" status. Here's what we know:

The National Weather Service says bomb cyclone, also known as "bombogenesis," describes a midlatitude (the latitudes between the tropics and polar regions) cyclone that rapidly intensifies over a 24 hour period. It can happen when a cold air mass collides with a warm air mass.

Full story below.

— Miguel Legoas, USA Today Deep South Connect

Salt for snow. What to know in Georgia

As explained by The Conversation reprinted by Scientific American, salt essentially decreases the freezing point of water on the road, making it harder for any precipitation to freeze. It also impedes the ability of the water molecules to form solid ice crystals. However, it must be mixed with water to be effective.

— Miguel Legoas, USA Today Deep South Connect

Savannah opens warming center during Winter Storm

The Greenbriar Children's Center gymnasium, 3709 Hopkins St., will be open as a warming center this weekend as extreme cold is expected to move through the Savannah region, according to a Chatham County press release.

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold advisory for Chatham County and surrounding areas from Saturday evening through Sunday morning. NWS says "dangerously cold" wind chills in the single digits are possible.

Full story below.

— Latrice Williams, Savannah Morning News

National Weather Service warnings, advisories

Follow the National Weather Service updates for warnings, watches and advisories.

Prepare for another Winter Storm in Georgia

Items to have on hand for a winter storm

Take the necessary steps ahead of time to prepare for the storm by having supplies on hand, experts say.

Here are some additional ways to prepare for a winter storm from various sources, including the Georgia Emergency Management Agency:

− Erica Van Buren, The Augusta Chronicle

Prepare your car for ice and snow

Georgia is preparing for another winter storm, just one week after freezing rain coated the region in ice. Forecasts show extreme cold and snow hitting the northeastern part of the state.

But while some northern states are more prepared for wintery weather, the south is less prepared, and many older homes don't have garages to protect vehicles from ice.

Whether your car is parked in a carport or out in the elements, here's how to prepare your vehicle for a winter storm, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Full story below.

— Irene Wright, USA Today Atlanta Connect

What to do when power goes out

When ice blankets Atlanta, the city shuts down. That means it's important to have a plan and supplies ready before the power cut outs.

According to the American Red Cross, here is what should be in your emergency preparedness kit:

— Irene Wright, USA Today Atlanta Connect

Why is it named Winter Storm Gianna?

The Weather Channel began naming winter storms that are expected to impact more than 2 million people in 2012 much like hurricanes are named.

The National Weather Service and other government outlets do not name winter storms. It is solely used by The Weather Channel. Last week's ice storm across the state was named Winter Storm Fern.

These are the names of 2025-26 storms.

Winter Storm Georgia: Stay up to date with text updates

Journalists from across Georgia have collaborated to bring you coverage of the winter storm impacting the state. Stay up to date on the latest across Georgia from Savannahnow.com, AugustaChronicle.com and OnlineAthens.com.

Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.

SAVANNAH, Ga. —

The WJCL Weather Team has issued alert days for Saturday and Sunday as a fast-moving coastal storm is expected to bring rain changing to snow, followed by a surge of record-challenging cold across the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry.

The best chance for measurable snow will be along and north of Interstate 16, with a risk of icy roads Saturday night into early Sunday, especially on bridges.

The National Weather Service office in Charleston has issued an Extreme Cold Warning and a Winter Storm Warning for parts of southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina, with hazardous travel and dangerous wind chills expected through the weekend.

Extreme Cold Warning

The Extreme Cold Warning is in effect from 7 p.m. Saturday to noon Sunday. Forecasters said wind chills could drop into the single digits across portions of southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina. The weather service warned that frostbite and hypothermia are possible if skin is exposed, and that a prolonged period of freezing temperatures could cause water pipes to rupture.

Winter Storm Warning

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 7 a.m. Saturday to 1 p.m. Sunday for several counties in both states. The weather service forecast heavy snow with total accumulations of 2 to 4 inches.

In Georgia, the warning covers Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Jenkins and Screven counties.

In South Carolina, it includes Allendale, Beaufort, Hampton, and coastal and inland portions of Colleton and Jasper counties.

Officials said travel could be very difficult.

Storm timing: Rain to snow Saturday afternoon and evening

A low-pressure system is expected to develop off the Southeast coast Saturday and strengthen as it moves quickly toward North Carolina’s Outer Banks, pulling colder air into the region.

Most areas are expected to start Saturday dry, with precipitation developing later in the day. Rain could change to snow by midafternoon in inland communities such as Sylvania and Hampton, with snow bands possible across the Lowcountry and along the I-16 corridor near late afternoon into early evening, including areas near Savannah.

Snow showers are expected to taper off Saturday evening, with most precipitation ending by around midnight.

Snow totals: Highest amounts north of I-16

Forecast snowfall totals call for:

Some accumulation could occur on grassy surfaces even south of I-16.

Travel concerns: Bridges could ice late Saturday

With temperatures falling into the 30s Saturday afternoon and colder air arriving Saturday night, be aware of potential slick spots, particularly on elevated roadways.

A winter storm watch is in effect for areas north of I-16, and a winter weather advisory is expected for areas along and south of I-16, forecasters said.

Bitter cold Sunday could challenge records

Behind the system, Sunday is expected to start extremely cold, with wind chills (“feels like” temperatures) projected in the single digits, around 5 to 9 degrees in many locations.

Savannah could approach a record low near 20 degrees, with highs only reaching the upper 30s Sunday afternoon. Chilly conditions are expected to persist into next week, with morning lows in the 20s Monday and Tuesday.