Saturday updates: Duke Energy reports first outages amid winter storm
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — (11:51 p.m.)
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As the ice storm moves through western North Carolina, it has caused some power outages throughout the region.
According to Duke Energy’s outage map, customers in the following areas are experiencing power outages caused by the storm:
- Cherokee
- Waynesville
- Asheville
At this time, there is no estimated time of restoration.
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(9:09 p.m.)
The Yancey County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) announced in a social media post that roads are covered with ice.
YCSO urges the public to limit all travel to emergencies only.
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(5:50 p.m.)
The City of Asheville has announced that trash collection and recycling are suspended.
According to the City of Asheville website, the suspension is due to the Buncombe County landfill and transfer stations being closed on Monday, Jan. 26.
The city says that services will resume as conditions and facilities allow.
The city also advises residents to continue monitoring its website and social media for updates and scheduling impacts.
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(3:44) — Due to the ice storm this weekend, the Biltmore Estate, National Forests, and the Blue Ridge Parkway have announced closures.
The Biltmore Estate is closed to daytime visitors and passholders on Sunday, Jan. 25, and Monday, Jan. 26.
According to a news release, the Pisgah National Forest and the Nantahala National Forest have announced a few closures.
Closures on the Pisgah National Forest include the following:
- Hurricane Gap
- Mortimer-Piedmont
- Roses Creek
- Maple Sally
- Raven cliff
- Armstrong
- Bent Creek
- Wash Creek
- Yellow Gap
- Avery Creek
- Davidson River (between Cove Creek and Gloucester Gap)
- Headwaters
Pisgah Visitors Center is closed only on Saturday, Jan. 24
Closures on the Nantahala National Forest include:
- Fires Creek
- Tatham Gap
- Tuni Gap
- Whitewater falls
The National Forest says that while not all roads will be closed, roads are generally not plowed or treated with de-icing agents.
The National Forest also advises against opening closed gates on any Forest Service road.
The Blue Ridge Parkway also announced a parkwide closure in all sections in Virginia and North Carolina.
According to the social media post, the Parkway is not salted and is minimally plowed.
The Parkway says closures are expected to remain in place until staff can safely assess road conditions and clear storm debris.
For more information on Biltmore and road closures, visit here and here.
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(11:50 a.m.) — Gov. Josh Stein says North Carolina has received a federal emergency declaration ahead of a winter storm that’s expected to bring significant ice accumulation over the weekend.
During an update Saturday, Jan. 24, Stein said he requested the declaration Friday evening and received White House approval Saturday morning.
“We are grateful for their partnership and quick response,” Stein said in a post on X.
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(10:50 a.m.) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein will hold a news briefing Saturday, Jan. 24, at 11:30 a.m. to provide an update on the state’s winter storm preparations.
GOV. STEIN DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY AS NORTH CAROLINA BRACES FOR MAJOR WINTER STORM
Stein has been holding daily press briefings since Thursday, Jan. 22, when he declared a state of emergency due to the storm’s potential impacts.
An Ice Storm Warning is in effect for much of western North Carolina due to a major ice storm expected to arrive Saturday night and continue through Sunday evening.
WNC BRACES FOR ICE, SNOW AS WINTER STORM APPROACHES
Most of the region is expected to see around a half-inch of ice, with higher totals near the Blue Ridge Escarpment.