LENOIR, NC (December 6, 2018) — The City of Lenoir is prepping to respond to the winter storm forecast for this weekend. Residents need to take precautions as well, including moving vehicles off the streets.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), Winter Storm Diego has the potential to produce a lot of snow across the foothills. The snow is most likely to start Saturday night and continue through early Monday. Totals are still uncertain, but snow in excess of six inches is possible.
City Streets
City Public Works Director Jared Wright said his department is prepping equipment to clear roads if needed.
“Our plan is to try to keep the main arteries in town clear during the event,” Wright said. “We’ll plow Harper and West avenues, and Mulberry and Main streets. After the snow stops, we’ll move on to the secondary roads and neighborhood streets.”
Obviously, residents should stay off the roads if possible. Anyone who does need to travel should bring an emergency bag in their vehicle that includes water, food, blankets, etc., in case they get stranded.
If it does start snowing, City residents should move vehicles off streets if at all possible. Cars parked on roads make it much more difficult and sometimes impossible for snow plows to pass.
City Code prohibits on-street parking on some streets during snow events. Cars parked on the following streets during a snow event will be towed at the owner’s expense. (Sec. 102.A – Parking)
- Prospect Street from Willow Street to Montclair Circle
- Link Place from Montclair Drive to the end
- Drum Circle from Norwood Street to Norwood Street
- Vance Street from Willow Street to N. Main Street
- Robbins Avenue from Vance Street to the end
- Center Street from Stage Street to Robbins Avenue
- Poplar Street from Virginia Street to Poplar Street Apartments
- Westman Street from College Avenue to the end
- Conley Place from N. Main Street to the end
- Lee Place from Ronquil Park to the end
Power Outages
If the region receives significant snow, it’s very likely that trees will fall and take out power lines. City staff does not and will not clear trees or limbs off of power lines. Clearing trees and limbs from power lines is the responsibility of the local power companies. Residents who lose power can report outages to the following numbers.
Duke Energy: 800.769.3766 (800-POWERON)
Blue Ridge Energy Customers: 800-448-2383. Report downed power lines at 800-451-5474 or call 911.
Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all lines energized as well as trees, limbs or anything in contact with lines. If a power line falls across a car that you’re in, stay in the car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.
Trees Across Roads
City staff will remove trees from roads when possible. If a tree is blocking a road, residents can call 911 to report the location. City of Lenoir Firefighters are trained and equipped to clear trees from roads and open lanes to ensure emergency vehicles can access all residents and businesses in the City. Public Works and other departments can also assist in clearing roads if needed.
Trash Pickup
If sanitation crews cannot pick up trash Monday due to the weather, Monday’s route will be collected Wednesday, Dec. 12. If trucks can’t run Tuesday, Tuesday’s route will be collected Saturday, Dec. 15.