NCDOT, local officials prepare for weekend winter storm

Dec. 07--Snow forecasts for the area this weekend continue to increase, and the N.C. Department of Transportation is gearing up to ensure the area's roadways are safe to travel.

The National Weather Service forecast Thursday said Henderson County could see more than 10 inches of snow starting Saturday night and continuing as late as Monday evening.

Meteorologist Scott Krentz said folks in Henderson County could expect wintry precipitation to hit around 11 p.m. Saturday, a mix of snow and rain that would transition overnight to just snow, continuing into Monday in the form of a long-duration snow event.

Earlier forecasts included periods of freezing rain or ice, but the latest models are showing only snow through the event, with atmospheric conditions remaining below freezing throughout, he said. The snow should start tapering off Monday evening and Tuesday's forecast looks dry, with temperatures in the low 40s.

With all that snow ready to bear down on Western North Carolina, NCDOT is getting prepared for a busy weekend.

Spokesman David Uchiyama said Thursday morning there are still a number of variable projections about just what the storm will bring, but crews are set to start brining roadways in Henderson County Friday afternoon, with 24-hour operations starting Saturday morning for Henderson County. All counties in Western North Carolina are expected to be on 24-hour operations before the storm ends.

Crews and equipment, including three motor graders and two tandem dump trucks, are being brought in from Cherokee, Graham and Clay Counties just for this storm, Uchiyama said, and their focus will be keeping Interstate 26 clear.

He stressed that NCDOT's priority would be I-26 and other primary, four-lane highways. The more snow that falls, the more work and time it will take to clear those roads before crews can move on to secondary and smaller roadways.

If it only snows for a couple of hours, it will take one pass to clear the road, he said, but if it goes on for hours and hours, crews will have to keep making passes along I-26 and the main roads.

Interstate 40 and U.S. 74 are of equal importance, he said, and contractor crews are being brought in to keep those routes open in Haywood County. NCDOT crews' focus will be on I-40 in Buncombe.

Materials and equipment have been moved to satellite locations as well, Uchiyama said. At the WNC Ag Center, trucks and a salt/sand mix are stationed to help crews serve primarily south Buncombe County. Other locations have been established in Henderson County.

"Please be patient and remember the priority for a storm of this size that will last this long" will be the main routes, he said.

Drivers should stay off the roads if possible, Uchiyama said. Those out on the roads should remember that the trucks need room to work, and also need to go at a slower pace in order to be effective either pushing snow or spreading materials like brine or salt.

"Don't crowd the plow," he said.

Heavy snow and icy conditions also bring the risk for falling branches or trees, that may also cause road closures, Uchiyama added. Residents can check road closures and find more information at www.drivenc.gov.

Power outage concerns

Duke Energy, too, is preparing for the storm. Thursday afternoon, the company said it's expecting widespread, multiple-day power outages from the storm that should dump snow and ice on the area and bring down trees, limbs and power lines.

The conditions could also delay Duke Energy workers' ability to access areas, fully assess storm damage and restore power, a statement from the company says. Residents are urged to be prepared and stay safe during the storm.

Duke is encouraging customers to check their supply of flashlights, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable foods and medicines, and to make sure to have a portable, battery-operated radio, TV or NOAA radio on hand.

The company also urges residents to stay away from fallen or sagging powerlines and to consider all lines energized. To report outages, text "OUT" to 57801 or call 800-POWERON for Duke Energy Carolinas customers or 800-419-6356 for Duke Energy Progress customers. Outages can also be reported at www.dukeenergyupdates.com, which shows current outages.

City prepares

The Hendersonville Public Works Department is also getting ready for the storm, checking equipment to make sure trucks, spreaders and tractors are in proper working order and that the city has an ample supply of sand salt and brine.

City staff will closely monitor the temperature and snow accumulations to determine which methods will be most effective. Crews are on standby to work 12-hour shifts to remove snow and ice from roads.

Fire and police crews are ready to be called in should the need arise, and residents are urged to to only use 911 to report actual emergencies.

"If people can avoid parking on the street, it helps our crews tremendously," Public Works Director Tom Wooten said in a news release. "Vehicles that are parked on the street drastically slows down our progress and sometimes completely stop it, if we can't get past those vehicles with our snow plows."

The city is divided into five zones for plowing, starting with priority streets around emergency service buildings, Pardee Hospital and streets with bridges and steep hills.

That information, as well as which roads are maintained by NCDOT, can be found at www.hendersonvillenc.gov/snow-and-ice-removal. Updated information, including office closings and other weather updates, can be found at www.hvlnc.gov.

Emergency personnel recommend residents keep up with weather reports and limit their travel if conditions become unsafe, according to the release, as well as stock homes and vehicles with emergency supplies.

The Hendersonville Rescue Mission will operate under a Code Grace in accordance with its extreme cold weather policy to assist the homeless population.

The forecast has prompted Henderson County to reschedule its public information sessions on the 2019 reappraisal, moving meetings that were originally scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

A meeting in Mills River is now set for Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 124 Town Center Drive, and one scheduled for Edneyville is now planned for Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Ednevyille Community Center, 15 Ida Rogers Drive.

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