As winter weather looms over Asheville, a flurry of activity is underway to mitigate the anticipated icy conditions. This weekend’s forecast suggests roads will be treacherous due to a severe ice storm, prompting extensive preparations by local authorities.
Transportation teams in Asheville have been diligently working to mix brine and assemble large quantities of salt and sand. These efforts aim to equip the region with essential resources to manage and recover from the snow and ice expected to blanket the area starting Saturday morning.
The storm’s evolution into a significant ice event raises the likelihood of hazardous road conditions and potential power outages. An accumulation of just a quarter of an inch of ice can compromise power lines, and forecasts anticipate more than half an inch in many areas by Friday morning.
Paul Roberts, a maintenance engineer with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, confirmed the state has applied hundreds of thousands of gallons of brine to the roads. With over 2,000 workers and additional contracted personnel ready, the department is on high alert for black ice and other challenging driving conditions expected to persist into next week.
“In my time as a county manager engineer, this is the largest storm that the weather forecasts are predicting,” remarked Roberts, who brings over two decades of experience to the role. “We hope for the best and not for the worst.”
Doug Outlaw, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, shared that this winter storm could be one of the most severe ice storms the region has witnessed in over 20 years. Accordingly, officials caution that travel may be perilous, and prolonged power outages are a distinct possibility.
David Uchiyama, a spokesperson for the transportation department, advised residents to refrain from traveling over the weekend if possible, humorously suggesting, “It’s better to stay home and snuggle than get on the road and struggle.”
In preparation for the storm, residents of Western North Carolina have been flocking to local stores, seeking propane, hand warmers, camp stoves, and bottled water. Many stores report depleted shelves, particularly of staple items like soup, milk, and bread.
Vesna Albano, a cashier at Ace Hardware in North Asheville, described the situation as “bedlam,” noting that propane had sold out and ice melt was in high demand. “People have been flocking to the store. They’ve been crowding around it. And there have been some people that have almost been reduced to tears because they feel or they’re worried that they’re not going to be able to get the supplies they need,” she explained, adding that fears might be heightened due to last year’s storm Helene.
Despite the panic, some community members are focusing on helping others. Preston Maroney, for instance, purchased supplies from Harris Teeter on Thursday to prepare meals for the homeless. “I got everything I need. I’ve got a few minutes,” he said. “I’ve got a couple loaves of bread, a couple of cans, and we’ll make a big pot of chili for them.”
Concern for wildlife has also emerged. Michael McClure left Ace Hardware with carbon monoxide sensors and birdseed, noting, “I noticed that the birds seem to be hungrier when it gets colder outside.”
