The National Weather Service has scaled back it’s snowcast to 1 inch possible in Asheville, with sleet and ice in the mix through Monday. Still, wintry weather seems likely to affect the Asheville area most of this weekend.
In anticipation of the snowy or frozen roads this weekend, Asheville Public Works crews will begin applying salt brine with 3% calcium chloride mix to the major streets starting Friday. A sidewalk crew will also treat sidewalks that the City is responsible for. Crews will continue to treat and monitor streets overnight Friday.
If a snow event starts during the night, road and sidewalk crews will report at 7 a.m. Saturday for duty and Public Works will have coverage until the event is over and the streets are cleared.
All efforts will be coordinated with our community partners at Buncombe County and NDCOT.
As always, priority one roads will be cleared first — those are main routes used most often for our first responders and of course the streets around Mission Hospital. You can see a map of priority roads by visiting Asheville’s SnowMapper webpage.
The City of Asheville has 28 trucks equipped for snow removal. The Streets Division works 31 staffers per shift. During snow, two shifts work, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Where to find official information
The City of Asheville will post links to official emergency information on the City of Asheville website and on the Asheville Fire Department’s Twitter feed.
Information will also be posted on the City of Asheville Facebook page and Twitter feed.
ART bus riders: We encourage ART bus riders to “check before you go.” Find information about the many ways to access ART service alerts at this link. The alerts are also posted on the new Transit App, which we encourage all riders to download for real-time information.
Please clear the streets so snow plows can get through
The City asks everyone to limit on-street parking during any snow event! This is extremely helpful to our ability to clear streets more efficiently.
Prepare now: Sign up for emergency alerts
The best way receive up-to-date local information is to sign up for AVL Alert. the City’s emergency notification system. Signing up is quick and easy and you can receive alerts for up to five locations. That may include your residence, an elderly relative’s residence, your child’s school, etc. Here is a link to a how-to video on AVL Alert registration.
We also urge residents to assemble an emergency kit, to include flashlight and batteries, bottled water, non-perishable food and other supplies. Find a federal government-recommended list at this link.
Code Purple alert issued
The Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition has issued a Code Purple nightly through Jan. 14. Asheville area shelters are offering emergency cold weather services to people who are currently experiencing homelessness and would not otherwise have a safe, warm place to stay.
