Duke Energy shares winter storm update, 12:30 p.m. Jan. 3

A message from Duke Energy:

The high winds and heavy precipitation are still affecting large portions of the Carolinas and restoration will be hindered until conditions are safe to work in. Customers in the hardest hit areas, like Buncombe County, may need to prepare for extended outages.

Duke Energy will provide additional updates once storms move out of the area and damage assessment is underway. See the outage map at www.duke-energy.com/outages.

To receive the most up-to-date information about restoration efforts by enrolling in Outage Alerts. If customers lose power, they can text OUT to 57801, report online, or call 800-419-6356.

Safety message: Downed tree and power lines, 10 a.m. Jan. 3

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.

Sanitation update, 9:30 a.m. Jan. 3

Trash and recycling pickup is happening today, though there may be a delay due to snowy weather. Asheville Sanitation will not pick up brush today, however.

Because of snowy weather, City of Asheville offices and ART bus service are operating on a delayed schedule today, with both beginning at 10 a.m.

Other City services affected by today’s weather: 

Asheville Public Works is responding to the Winter Storm, to salt roads and remove any accumulating snow, 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. Streets crews will also remove snow on sidewalks in front of City-owned property. 

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

Please check the City’s social media channels for latest information during winter storm events.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning to include Asheville from 10 p.m. Sunday through noon Monday. Find the National Weather Service forecast here.

Please check back for updates.

All Streets Division trucks are equipped to double as plows and salt spreaders and ready to respond when the storm starts. The City has 4,000+ tons of salt on hand to treat roads. Salt spreaders are loaded and ready to go.

City Streets crews will stay on the job around the clock as needed, to remove any accumulating snow, 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. Streets crews will also remove snow on sidewalks in front of City-owned property. 

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

The City of Asheville maintains approximately 4oo miles of roads, which translates into 805 lane miles. During snow events, Public Works removes snow from 180 centerline miles of priority one streets, 318 centerline miles of priority two streets, which adds up to about 400 miles, including 87 miles of NCDOT-maintained roads.

Please check back for updates.

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