ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County officials have opened three emergency shelters ahead of Winter Storm Fern, urging residents to seek refuge if needed during the forecasted ice storm.
Shelters will open at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, and will remain accessible throughout the storm. Locations include:
- Swannanoa: Hearts with Hands, 850 Warren Wilson Road
- Northwest Buncombe: Erwin High School gymnasium, 60 Lees Creek Road, Asheville
- South Buncombe: Reuters YMCA, 3 Town Square Blvd., Asheville
Each shelter will provide cots, blankets and generators, and Hearts with Hands will supply meals. Residents are encouraged to bring changes of clothes, toiletries, snacks, chargers and prescriptions. Only therapy animals are allowed; pets are not permitted. Nurses will conduct health screenings because of circulating respiratory illnesses, including measles. Officials caution that these are not medical shelters and cannot provide medical care.
Residents currently in isolation because of measles exposure, or showing symptoms such as a splotchy facial rash, high fever, cough and red itchy eyes, are advised to seek hotel accommodations with exterior-facing entry points. Buncombe County Health and Human Services staff can assist those in isolation with lodging arrangements.
Winter Storm Fern forecast
The National Weather Service has issued an Ice Storm Warning for Buncombe County from noon Saturday through 1 p.m. Monday, predicting half-inch ice accumulation across most of the county and up to an inch in southeastern areas. More than half an inch of ice is expected to create dangerous road conditions, downed trees and power lines and widespread power outages lasting several days.
State of emergency and closures
Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Chair Amanda Edwards declared a local state of emergency effective at noon Jan. 23, covering Asheville and nearby municipalities. Gov. Josh Stein has also declared a statewide emergency.
County offices and services will adjust operations:
- Parks and libraries: Closed Saturday
- Landfill/transfer station: Open 7 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday
- Mountain Mobility: Suspended Saturday noon through Sunday
Safety and preparation
Officials advise residents to stock food, water and prescriptions, avoid travel on icy roads and remain indoors if possible. Hypothermia and icy hazards are serious risks, and road crews need clear access for emergency response.
The N.C. Department of Transportation has pretreated major interstates and continues 24/7 road preparation across Western North Carolina. Residents are encouraged to monitor DriveNC.gov for current conditions.
Hotels and pet-friendly options
While pets are not allowed in shelters, several local hotels are offering accommodations for residents and their animals. Many are providing “snow rates” and can be contacted directly. Residents should bring food that can be prepared in their rooms, as delivery services may be limited.
Information and updates
Buncombe County reminds residents to rely on verified sources for updates. Because of a cyberattack, emergency alert subscriptions are temporarily unavailable, but life-safety messages will continue via IPAWS and reverse 911. Updates are available at www.buncombeready.org
and on official social media channels.
