Winter storm update: ART buses, City offices on a delayed schedule

Thursday, Feb. 18

While Asheville remains under a Winter Storm Warning until 7 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, City streets are wet but not frozen this morning. A City Streets crew member reported seeing ice on some trees.

A mix of rain, sleet, ice and snow are still possible today through Friday morning. Find the National Weather Service forecast here.

ART bus service is on a delayed schedule Thursday morning, with service expected to begin at 10 a.m., depending on road conditions.

Asheville City offices will operate a delayed schedule, opening at 11 a.m. Thursday. Our first responders, police and water distribution personnel remain in place 24/7 to ensure the safety and health of our community.

Asheville City Schools announced that community-based learning at City Community Center PODS will be closed on Thursday, Feb. 18.

Buncombe County reschedules COVID vaccines: Buncombe County Health & Human Services COVID-19 vaccination sites at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) and A.C. Reynolds High School will be closed on Thursday, Feb. 18. Those individuals with appointments on Feb. 18 will be rescheduled for the same time on Feb. 23. The closure does not impact any individual’s position on the waitlist.

Asheville Streets crews have been out monitoring streets since Wednesday night and remain vigilant.

According to the National Weather Service alert:

“A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet, and ice are expected or occurring. Strong winds are also possible. This will make travel very hazardous or impossible. Only travel in an emergency. If you must travel, keep a flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Prepare for possible power outages.”

Wednesday, Feb. 17

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning to include Asheville from 7 p.m. today (Feb. 17) through 7 p.m. Thursday. Find the National Weather Service forecast here.

While little snow accumulation is expected, this storm is forecast to bring a coating of ice to the region. This has the potential to cause dangerous travel conditions and significant power outages.

Here are impacts, service delays and safety tips for those affected:

ART bus service is on a delayed schedule Thursday morning, with service expected to begin at 10 a.m., depending on road conditions.

An ice storm poses different challenges than a regular snowstorm, according to Asheville Streets Division Manager Chad Bandy. “With accumulating snow we are able to push a lot of it off,” he said. “When ice starts to accumulate applying salt is about all that is effective. Ice also brings the potential for downed trees and power lines, both of which hamper clearing efforts.”

Duke Energy offers tips

Now is the time to prepare for potential power outages, according to Duke Energy. In advance of a major weather event, FEMA recommends having food, water and other supplies to last for several days.

Duke crews will work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power and adhere to CDC recommendations for COVID-safe work practices, according to Jason Walls, Duke’s Asheville Area District Manager.

Find tips on what to do before, during and after a storm here: https://www.duke-energy.com/Safety-and-Preparedness/Storm-Safety.

If you experience a power outage

Customers who experience a power outage can report it the following ways:

Visit duke-energy.com on a desktop computer or mobile device
Use the Duke Energy mobile app – download the Duke Energy App from a smartphone via Apple Store or Google Play
Text OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply)
Duke Energy Carolinas: 1-800-POWERON (1-800-419-6356)
Duke Energy Progress: 800-419-6356

For storm or power restoration updates:

Follow Duke Energy on Twitter (@DukeEnergy) and Facebook (Duke Energy).
See the outage map at www.duke-energy.com/outages.
Customers can also sign up to receive outage alerts.

Downed tree and power lines:

Duke Energy warns people to stay away from downed power lines.

If a you encounter a fallen or leaning tree resting on a power line, call Duke Energy Progress at 1-800-419-6356 or 1-800-452-2777.

For a downed tree not involving power lines, blocking a road in the City limits, call Asheville Public Works at 828-259-5852.

Generator safety

Do you use a generator to keep warm if your power goes out? Generators should be run outside in a well-ventilated area — not a garage, carport, or shed. The Asheville Fire Department recommends using a carbon monoxide monitor too!

Asheville Streets Division is ready

truck loading salt — City Streets crews mobilized Wednesday night for winter storm response. Here salt is being loaded onto a spreader to treat streets.

Asheville Public Works prepped all snow removal equipment and staff are ready to begin salting and plowing streets once accumulation begins. Crews will not be pretreating roads due to the potential of rain ahead of freezing temperatures.

All Streets Division trucks are equipped to double as plows and salt spreaders and ready to respond when the storm starts. Salt spreaders are loaded and ready to go. Our Streets crews will stay on the job around the clock as needed, to remove any accumulation, first from our priority one streets, then moving into secondary / neighborhood streets as the priority routes are cleared. Priority one roads are major routes needed for emergency response as well as streets where ART bus routes run.

The City’s Snow Mapper shows which roads are priority one.

Where else to find emergency information

Visit BCReady for emergency preparedness information, such as a list of emergency supplies for a preparedness kit. Scroll down the page to find emergency numbers, such as who to contact if your power goes out.

For City of Asheville emergency alerts, register for AVL Alert at this link.

Avoid driving in snow

As a reminder, if you do not have to drive in snow, please stay off the roads, for your own safety and that of our first responders.

Check back for updated information

This report will be updated throughout the winter storm event.