Monday updates: 4,300+ power outages across western North Carolina; repairs underway
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) —
(3:45 pm.) – There are over 8,300 power outages reported across western North Carolina, according to Ready NC’s power outage map.
Henderson County is currently experiencing nearly 5,900 outages. Transylvania County follows behind with nearly 2,000 outages. Buncombe, Mitchell and Madison counties each have between 50 and 175 outages.
Duke Energy says repairs and damage assessments are underway across the region.
Throughout the state, Ready NC reports approximately 11,000 outages as of 3:45 p.m.
(2:20 p.m.) According to a Jan. 26 news release from Madison County, the Hot Springs Emergency Shelter has transitioned from standby to a closed status, while the Wellness Center at the Early College has transitioned from an Emergency Shelter to a standby status for a potential overnight Warming Station until 6 a.m. on Jan. 29.
For transportation to a shelter, those in need can call the 911 administration line at 828-649-3602.
According to the news release, Madison County’s main routes are clear with ice on side roads. County Emergency Management is reporting no motor vehicle accidents and only one isolated power outage from a downed tree.
County Manager and Emergency Management continue to monitor and adjust capabilities as the situation changes, the release said.
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(1:40 p.m.) Many organizations in Henderson County will remain closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
According to a news release from the City of Hendersonville, all government offices will be closed on Jan. 27.
Garbage, recycling and brush collection for City of Hendersonville customers will not take place on Tuesday, the release said. Collection for Tuesday customers will be delayed by one week, with collection resuming on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
According to the release, the City of Hendersonville remains under a State of Emergency, which includes a dusk-to-dawn curfew to allow crews to work and keep the public safe.
Blue Ridge Community College also announced it will be closed on Jan. 27.
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(1:30 p.m.) The City of Asheville said in a news release that its offices will be back open on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
All of the city government’s offices will be on a normal schedule, starting Tuesday.
The city’s sanitation services will also return to normal hours on Jan. 27, the release said. The city said that if there are any changes to this plan, those changes will be communicated by 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Community members can sign up for free to receive notifications about schedule changes or delays by clicking on this link.
Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools also announced that both will have a remote learning day for Jan. 27.
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(12:41 p.m.) Buncombe County’s local state of emergency is set to end at 6 p.m. on Monday, according to a press release.
Buncombe County Government administrative offices, libraries, and parks will go back to normal operation at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 27. With the landfill and transfer station returning to normal operation at 8 a.m. FCC Environmental is on a one-day collection delay.
The Buncombe County Courthouse will operate on a regular schedule Tuesday, Jan. 27.
Shelter updates
On Monday at 4 p.m., winter shelters at Reuter Family YMCA and Erwin High will demobilize, according to the county. Anyone currently in shelter can be transferred to Hearts with Hands, located at 850 Warren Wilson Road, Swannanoa, which will stay open until noon on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
Mountain Mobility will go back to normal schedule on Tuesday.
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(12:05 p.m.) Haywood County’s commissioners have lifted the state of emergency they declared ahead of the winter storm over the weekend.
The declaration, which was issued Jan. 23 at 3 p.m., was lifted as of 11:30 a.m. Monday.
“County officials appreciate the cooperation of residents, staff, and partner agencies throughout the storm response and recovery efforts,” Public Information Officer Dillon Huffman said in a written statement.
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(11:50 a.m.) Asheville ART buses will resume service at 1 p.m. Monday, following weather-related delays.
John Harbin, Asheville Fire Department’s communication specialist, said most routes will operate as scheduled, with any delays or detours being communicated through iRide alerts.
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(10:20 a.m.) Power outages for the region appear to be trending downward so far Monday morning.
As of 10:15 a.m., Duke Energy reports Henderson County power outages have fallen from more than 13,000 at 7 a.m. to 11,619. The company’s estimated restoration time for the county is 8 a.m. Jan. 29.
A screenshot of ReadyNC’s power outage map as of 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 26, 2026. (Photo: ReadyNC)
GALLERY: WINTER STORM HITS WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, BRINGING HEAVY ICE
According to ReadyNC’s power outage map, Transylvania County has nearly 3,000 outages as of 10:30 a.m., and Buncombe County stands at 2,343 outages.
With residual ice impacts and wind gusts in the 40 to 45 mph range, additional damage to trees and power lines is possible through Tuesday morning.
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(7 a.m.) Thousands remain without power on Monday morning after this weekend’s winter storm, leaving many in the dark as bitterly cold temperatures move into the region.
According to Duke Energy’s outage map, about 27,000 customers were without power in western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina as of 6:45 a.m., with Henderson County reporting 13,756 without power.
WINTER STORM NEARING WNC PROMPTS SAFETY WARNINGS ON ALTERNATIVE HEAT USE
A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for most of the mountains, including Asheville, until 10 a.m. Monday, then again from 6 p.m. Monday until noon Tuesday. The National Weather Service (NWS) says wind chills could reach as low as -4 Monday morning and as low as -13 overnight.
An Extreme Cold Warning is in effect for higher elevations to the west, like Banner Elk, Newland, and Ingalls, for cold wind chills as low as -20. That warning is in effect from 6 p.m. Monday until noon Tuesday.
Many school districts and government offices around the mountains were closed Monday due to the lingering impacts of the storm. See a complete list of closures here.