News Flash

Following this major (for our area) snow event, we strongly urge all Citizens to avoid travel. If you must travel, do so with extraordinary caution. Staying off the roadways will allow emergency and Street crews to serve you better.

It is rather unlikely that Street Crews will get to every residential area in the City before the expected warm up on Monday. Crews will be on duty throughout the weekend and will focus on salt and sand application with limited plowing.

The City has limited equipment for snow removal as this type of weather event is rather unusual for our community. Most snow that falls in our community is gone the next day. To purchase and maintain equipment that could cover all of the City following a snow and ice event would require a significant increase in property taxes and, because of our climate, would be infrequently used.

The NC Department of Transportation owns and is responsible for the main roads throughout the City and County. They too are challenged to cover a much larger area and with limited equipment for such an event.

The highest priority for City equipment is emergency response routes and life safety sites. Life safety sites include EMS stations, fire stations and hospitals. We also focus on trouble spots not covered by NCDOT.

The City’s Street Division is frequently called to sites where there have been accidents or where sites have developed that are dangerous to travel over. The thawing and refreezing of fallen precipitation, along with traffic, has further complicated the clearing process.

Please know that all Street crews are currently working. Again, we urge you to stay inside, stay warm, and stay safe.