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Pickens County, South Carolina – Deputies are asking the public for help locating a 15-year-old girl reported missing from the Central area late last week.

According to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, Alissa Johnson was last seen at her home near Eighteen Mile Road in Central around midnight on Friday. Authorities said she left the residence, and her current whereabouts remain unknown.

The sheriff’s office described Johnson as 5 feet 2 inches tall and approximately 120 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Deputies said it is unclear what she was wearing at the time she left her home.

The case has been classified as a runaway juvenile, and investigators are continuing efforts to determine where Johnson may have gone and who she may be with. Officials said there is no information at this time indicating foul play, but they are seeking assistance from anyone who may have seen her or has information that could help locate her.

Law enforcement officials emphasized that even small details could be important, particularly sightings in the Central area or along nearby roadways late Friday night or early Saturday morning. Residents are also encouraged to review any security or doorbell camera footage from the area that may show someone matching Johnson’s description.

Anyone with information about Alissa Johnson’s location is asked to contact Sgt. Keith Wald with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office at 864-898-5523. Tips can be provided directly to deputies, and callers do not need to know Johnson personally to report information.

Cases involving missing juveniles often rely heavily on community awareness, especially in areas frequented by students, young workers, and local commuters who may have been traveling through the area overnight.

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A major winter storm has significantly impacted the Upstate from Friday, Jan. 30, through Sunday, Feb. 1.

The storm brought heavy snowfall and record-breaking cold temperatures to the region.

According to the National Weather Service, the Winter Storm Warning expired at 7 a.m., but the Extreme Cold Warning remained in effect until 10 a.m. EST today, Feb. 1.

Officials are urging residents to stay off the roads because snow and frigid temperatures have made many routes impassable.

Those who must travel are advised to exercise caution and be prepared for hazardous conditions.

Conditions are expected to improve slightly this afternoon with sunny skies and a high near 31–34 degrees.

Another freeze is expected tonight with temperatures dropping back into the low teens.

Residents are advised to remain cautious and stay updated on weather conditions.

Here is how much snow parts of the Upstate received through the afternoon on Jan. 31, according to the.

How much snow did the Upstate get?

The National Weather Service collects and maps data over 24 hours, mapping snowfall across the country.

Some areas in the Upstate saw totals higher than initially expected due to efficient accumulation ratios, with several locations reporting over 5 inches of snow.

Greenville County: Reported Snowfall Totals

Pickens County: Reported Snowfall Totals

Reported Snow Totals Near Spartanburg:

Reported snow totals near Anderson:

According to the National Weather Service, observations are collected from a variety of sources using different equipment and under varying conditions.

Travis Jacque Rose is the trending news reporter for the Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him attrose@gannett.com

PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - A FOX Carolina camera crew was on scene where law enforcement was responding.

Our crews observed Pickens County deputies and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division on Hollingsworth Drive around 9:10 p.m. on Saturday.

Sheriff Tommy Blankenship released a statement about the incident on Sunday, urging caution about unverified information spreading on social media.

“Citizens sharing those unvetted narratives does not help law enforcement,” Sheriff Blankenship said. “Last night, it actively endangered everyone involved. Our objective is always a peaceful resolution, and misinformation works directly against that goal.”

The sheriff explained the individual involved in the scene on Saturday is known to the sheriff’s office due to an incident at East Pickens Baptist Church, where the individual tried to access a secure area where children were present.

“He had to be physically restrained by church security,” the sheriff said on Facebook. “A judge signed an order of detention commanding law enforcement officers to take the individual into custody for a medical evaluation.”

The sheriff said when deputies arrived to serve that order, the subject as well as a female ran inside the home and locked the door. Officials said deputies then attempted to call the subject out.

Sheriff Blankenship said at that time, information received led deputies to believe the female may have being held against her will, raising the possibility of a hostage situation.

This determination justified the significant law enforcement presence and the request for the assistance of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division tactical resources and negotiators, according to the sheriff.

The sheriff explained that once commanding units reassessed and verified additional information through investigations and interviews, it was determined there was no hostage since the female had left the home.

Sheriff Blankenship said he made the executive decision to de-escalate the scene overnight given the volatility of the situation, which was driven by mental health concerns. The sheriff said a law enforcement presence was kept in the area to protect the community.

During this time, the sheriff said he consulted with mental health professionals and other trusted community members experienced in crisis intervention.

The sheriff said deputies took the subject into custody on Sunday morning following a brief physical encounter outside the home.

“No weapons, lethal or non-lethal, were used,” Sheriff Blankenship said. “Deputies relied on their training and safely secured the individual with parties receiving only minor scrapes and scratches.”

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