Buncombe County prepares for winter storm more ice is forecasted

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ASHEVILLE – Although the National Weather Service is still reviewing models as the region braces for a winter storm, a Buncombe County spokesperson said there will definitely be extremely cold temperatures and precipitation this weekend.

At a 1 p.m. briefing on Jan. 22, city, county and other area officials provided updates, safety tips and information ahead of the storm.

County Manager Avril Pinder said early indications are that the storm has shifted to include the possibility of more icy conditions.

He said they have three main concerns right now:

• Hazardous driving conditions.

• Dangerously cold weather will continue into next week.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for January 24-26. Heavy mixed precipitation is forecast to be possible, with total sleet accumulations of up to 2 inches and ice accumulations of three-tenths to three-quarters of an inch, according to an afternoon update.

“We are taking this storm seriously. Now is the time to prepare,” Pinder said.

Governor Josh Stein declared a State of Emergency on January 21.

Ryan Cole with Buncombe County Emergency Services said “we need everyone to be prepared for more potential power outages and not being on the roads” as the forecast changes to more icy conditions.

An inch of ice in isolated areas can damage power lines or bring down trees. This can also occur with a quarter-inch of ice, Cole said.

“Today, tomorrow is the time to go to the market, buy what you need, prepare to last 72 hours,” he said. The storm is expected to arrive in the region around 9 a.m. on January 24, but this may change.

What about shelter?

The county is coordinating with the American Red Cross to staff and operate up to three shelters throughout the county if needed. These shelters will also serve as warming stations. Locations have not yet been announced, but district spokeswoman Lillian Gavus said they will be shared on Jan. 23 if activated.

Community paramedics and the Asheville Fire Department’s REST team will work to support the city’s homeless population.

Here’s a winter shelter that can be used at night and a Code Purple that activates in below-freezing temperatures:

• 91 New Leicester Motorway: Winter shelter; 40 beds for men. It is owned and operated by the Salvation Army and Safe Shelter.

• Safe Haven, 27 Balm Grove Boulevard: Winter shelter; 10 beds for women.

• ABCCM’s Transformation Village, 30 Olin Haven Road: Code Purple; 35 beds for women and children.

• Salvation Army, 204 Haywood Avenue: Code Purple; 16 beds for men.

• Homeward Bound’s AHOPE, 19 N. Ann St.: Code Purple; 20 beds for couples, people with pets.

hope4NC

“We want to acknowledge that it is undoubtedly too soon to appear before you to discuss a significant weather system approaching our area. We are still recovering physically and certainly emotionally from Helene, and it’s hard not to revisit those feelings right now,” Gavus said.

She shared the Hope4NC Helpline at 1-855-587-3463 for people experiencing stress, emotional exhaustion, mental crisis or need someone to talk to.

What about Asheville’s water system?

Water personnel fill all 37 water storage tanks located throughout the distribution system serving approximately 160,000 customers. Staffing levels at the city’s three water utilities have been increased.

Water Resources Department spokesman Clay Chandler said that they have pre-positioned the necessary equipment, that there will be at least two on-duty officers who will be on site during the night and outside working hours in case of emergencies, and that they will direct maintenance teams.

To reach a water customer service representative, call 828-251-1122.

Here’s how customers can prepare their homes:

• Wrapping exposed pipes with insulation or heat tape.

• Run at least one tap at night.

• Disconnecting outdoor water hoses and turning off outdoor faucets.

• Keep the thermostat above 55 degrees.

• If the water meter is frozen, call customer service immediately.

Following the 2022-23 holiday water outages that affected thousands of people following persistently cold weather, Chandler said people can expect a much different response.

He said the biggest thing that came out of the event in terms of planning and response was emergency operations training.

“We understand that there is residual PTSD from this incident that occurred a little over three years ago. This is another cold weather event, obviously, that’s what we’re preparing for, there’s a few different things going on with this one,” Chandler said.

He said he did not expect the weather to be “cold for this long” and that the response would be “much more organised”. Following this winter’s outages, the city took steps toward greater resiliency, including mitigating cold weather at treatment plants and implementing recommendations from an independent review committee that reviewed the incident.

All 182 water supply employees are on duty throughout the storm.

“We’re going to work, eat, sleep until this is over,” Chandler said.

What’s in your disaster kit?

Cole said people should have a disaster kit ready. This includes:

• 1 gallon of water per person in a household for three to seven days.

• Mobile phone charging supplies.

• If you are using oxygen, make additional arrangements now.

Go Ready.gov for more information.

This story will be updated.

Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message @slhonosky on Twitter.

This article first appeared in the Asheville Citizen Times: Buncombe County is preparing for the winter storm. What you need to know