LOCAL CLOSINGS, DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS
Sign Up for Public Alert Warning Systems:
Burke County Hyper-Reach System Sign-up
Caldwell County CodeRed Sign-up
Additional County Alert Systems
For road conditions in NC, call 511 during the day and at night, visit www.DriveNC.gov.
Local Utility Outage Numbers & Information
Blue Ridge Energy Report an outage: 800-448-2383. Outage map Click Here for Outage Updates
Duke Energy Outage map 800-POWERON (800-777-9898) or text OUT to 57801. Receive outage notifications: Text REG to 57801.
City of Morganton Electric: 828-438-5277
Rutherford Electric: 1-800-228-9756
Granite Electric: 1-828-396-3358
City of Newton: 828-695-4311
Town of Maiden: 828-428-5000
Rutherford Electric: 704-735-5381
Energy United: 800-EUNITED (800-386-4833)
If you lose power, call 828-758-2324 (Caldwell County), 828-437-1911 (Burke County) or 828-322-8061 x65618 (Catawba County) to find the closest warming station. For other NC counties, call 211 for shelter information or other non-emergency assistance.
Before A Winter Storm
Prepare Your Home
By preparing your home now, you can protect yourself and your family from a winter storm. Check out Prepare Your Home for tips and suggestions on how best to prepare your home for winter.
Prepare Your Car
Avoid dangerous winter travel problems by planning ahead. For information on how to get your car ready for the possibility of a winter weather emergency, check out Prepare Your Car.
Winter Weather Checklists
Gather emergency supplies now to prepare for a winter storm. To help you keep track of everything you’ll need to prepare for a winter storm, we created a series of checklists for you to use. Check out Winter Weather Checklists for more information.
During A Winter Storm
PLEASE STAY HOME AND LIMIT 911 CALLS TO EMERGENCIES
Be safe and be smart. Do not attempt to travel. At this time many roadways are closed with trees down on them. Some have power lines in them which may be hard to see with the snow on them. NCDOT crews are out clearing the roads. Keep off roadways so they can do their jobs quickly and safely. If you must drive, leave plenty of space between your vehicle and others and reduce your driving speed. Don’t crowd the plow!!
Extremely cold temperatures often accompany winter storms. These can produce a number of hazards, like power outages and icy roads, which can affect you inside and outside your home. Find out what you can do to protect yourself and your family.
Indoor Safety During a Winter Storm
Although staying indoors as much as possible can help reduce the risk of car crashes and falls on the ice, you may also face indoor hazards. Power outages or poor heating systems can make your home too cold, while space heaters and fireplaces can increase your risk of fires or carbon monoxide poisoning. For tips on how to stay safe inside your home this winter, check out Indoor Safety During a Winter Storm.
Outdoor Safety During a Winter Storm
Winter storms can make being outdoors dangerous. Extremely cold temperatures can cause hypothermia and frostbite, while icy roads can increase your risk of falls or getting into a car accident.
While it’s best to stay indoors during a winter storm if you must go outside, make sure to make trips as short as possible and learn how to protect yourself. For tips on how to stay safe outdoors this winter, check out Outdoor Safety During a Winter Storm.
After A Winter Storm
Winter storms can bring a number of potential hazards. If you had to leave your home during a storm, stay safe during your return and post-storm cleanup by following the tips and information provided here.
Returning Home After a Winter Storm
When returning home after a winter storm, you can take steps to stay safe from any hazards you might face, like carbon monoxide, electrical hazards, and food and water issues. To learn more, see Returning Home After a Disaster, which provides tips relevant to all types of disasters.
Clean Up After a Winter Storm
Winter storms can create a bit of a mess. While you might be eager to clean up after a storm, it’s important to be aware of any safety issues that might come up during your post-storm cleanup. For more information, see Clean Up Safely After a Disaster, which provides cleaning tips relevant to all types of disasters.
