Sunday snow updates: Asheville snow plowing in full force, ART bus suspended

 

How much snow did we get?

2:20 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

Here are unofficial snowfall totals released by the National Weather Service:

  • Asheville, 5 ½”
  • Arden, 10”
  • Biltmore Forest, 6 ½”
  • Leicester, 8”
  • Skyland, 9”

 

More locations are listed at this link.

 

Snow removal crews making progress,
people still urged to refrain from driving

Noon Sunday, Dec. 9

Public Works snow removal equipment by the numbers:

  • 16 trucks outfitted with plows and salt brine spreaders
  • 11 pickup trucks outfitted with plows attached to the front
  • 4 trucks with salt brine spreaders

 

Snow removal crews are making progress as they can on priority 1 streets, but Asheville roads are still slick with snow. Everyone is encouraged to please do not venture out and drive, if at all possible. Ice is expected to form on the roads overnight.

 

Power outages map: N.C Emergency Management has put a power outages map up. You can find it at this link. Currently, the map shows that more than 23,000 people are without power in Buncombe County.

 

Downed trees

10:15 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

In addition to the dangerous, snow-covered road conditions, Public Works is reporting multiple downed trees around the city, some blocking roads. And this is likely contributing to the power outages.

Again, we encourage everyone to stay off the roads!

 

Snowfall amounts vary widely

10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

How much snow have we gotten? While it is a moving target, as it is still coming down, south Asheville has gotten 10 inches or more while central Asheville has seen somewhere along the lines of 2-3 inches so far.

 

Snow plowing in full force,
around the clock

8:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

Public Works is currently focusing on plowing our priority 1 streets. Primary roads have to be the priority for snow removal to ensure they are passable for our emergency responders. Here is a link to the City’s snow removal priority map.

 

We understand there are multiple power outages within the city of Asheville. The largest outages are in south part of city.

Outage

 

 

Plowing snow-covered roads, parking garages opened, ART bus suspended

7 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

Asheville Public Works Streets crews battled snow-covered streets all night and the work continues today. But with the storm still in progress, many roads are not passable.

“All roads are snow covered and it is still snowing,” said Streets Operations Manager Jerry Yates, who worked the overnight shift. “The snow is covering it up as fast as we can plow it off.”

Downed trees are adding to the situation, blocking these roads at daybreak Sunday:

  • 463 Emma Road
  • Robinhood at Brookwood
  • Chunns Cove at Rivercane

 

At a press briefing Saturday, Buncombe Emergency Services Director Jerry Vehaun advised people to stay off the roads, for their own safety.

 

ART bus service remains suspended today.

 

To assist with getting vehicles off our streets so snow plows can work more efficiently all City-owned parking garages are free through 8 a.m. Tuesday. You will need to take an entrance ticket (for record keeping) but the exit gates are open.

 

Asheville Public Works Director Greg Shuler said his staff “is well trained, dedicated and will remain on the job clearing roads as long as necessary.”

He also called on the community to take measures to help Public Works crews clear our streets.

“When you see one of our plows out performing their duties please give them plenty of clearance for safety,” Shuler said.

 

Scattered power outages

We understand there are some scattered power outages in the Asheville area this morning.

Buncombe Emergency Services Director Jerry Vehaun said shelters could be set up if there are widespread power outages. So far, there are not shelters open in Asheville.

 

Call Duke Energy to report downed power lines:

Duke Energy Carolinas – 800-769-3766

Duke Energy Progress – 800-419-6356

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

 

Are you using 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!

 

Check back for updated information

This report will be updated throughout the day.

 

Related:

Asheville, Buncombe officials outline winter storm preparedness, share safety messages

ART transit suspends bus service during winter storm