Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above- ground pipes to protect them from freezing.

HARD FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EST THURSDAY... * WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 24 expected. * WHERE...Coffee, Jeff Davis, Bacon, Appling, Wayne, Atkinson, Pierce, Brantley, Northern Ware, Echols and Clinch Counties. * WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to 8 AM EST Thursday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.