Weather forecasters predict a winter storm is coming to Fayetteville and Cumberland County on Wednesday, but whether or not we get snow or freezing rain (or both), and when the storm will arrive remains uncertain as of Tuesday afternoon.
Regardless, the area is preparing for a frozen mess.
Schools are closed Wednesday, and other activities are canceled or postponed. Gov. Josh Stein on Tuesday morning declared a state of emergency, and that the storm will affect most of North Carolina.
“At this time our greatest concerns are potential power outages and road safety,” he said during a briefing.
See below for the forecasts, school announcements, closed offices, plans at Fort Bragg. and other updates.
The weather forecasts for Wednesday in Cumberland County, as of Tuesday
WRAL: Freezing rain in Fayetteville and Cumberland County to begin late Wednesday morning; snow or sleet predicted to fall north of Cumberland County.
Weather Underground: Rain in the morning, turning to freezing rain around noon. Snow to be added to the wintry mix around 6 p.m. and continue for several hours, ending before 9 p.m.
The National Weather Service: Rain and sleet during the day, with accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Wednesday night, freezing rain and sleet, possibly mixed with snow before 4 a.m., then a slight chance of snow and sleet. New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible, and new snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
North Carolina’s Weather Authority: Winter precipitation will start between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday. A dusting to up to an inch of snow, plus a glaze of ice up to 0.3 inches thick from freezing rain is likely.
Power and water — save money and prevent frozen pipes
The Fayetteville Public Works Commission, which supplies electricity, water and sewer service to much of the Fayetteville area, published several tips on with advice to reduce your electric bill with the cold weather, and prevent your pipes from freezing.
Some of these:
- If you have a heat pump, and you want to raise the temperature on the thermostat for more heat, do not raise the temperature more than 2 degrees at a time. Otherwise the auxiliary heat system is more likely to turn on (which consumes more electricity).
- Turn the temperature down 5 degrees on your thermostat. Your home will be a bit less warm, but you will also save money. The PWC says each degree lower saves about 2% on your heating bill. A 5 degree reduction in temperature saves 10%.
- During the day, open the drapes on windows where the sun is shining to let in the sun’s heat. Close the drapes at night to keep the heat from escaping your home.
- Insulate your pipes to prevent them from freezing (and potentially bursting). During extreme cold, keep a trickle of water running.
Closings and storm response
- The North Carolina Department of Transportation advised people to obtain food and emergency supplies before the storm arrives so they won’t have to travel during dangerous conditions.
- Cumberland County Schools announced late Tuesday morning that schools will be closed on Wednesday, and after-school activities are canceled. Staff are expected to work remotely.
- All Cumberland County offices, including the courts and the Health Department, will be closed on Wednesday. Methodist University will operate with remote classes.
- The Department of Transportation and the city of Fayetteville said they have begun brining the roads with saltwater to prevent the formation of ice. This will be followed with roadsalt, sand and plowing as needed to clear the roads after the snow and ice come through.
- North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced that with the state of emergency, the state’s price gouging law is in effect. This prohibits businesses from charging excessively high prices during a crisis, his announcement says. “North Carolinians can report price gouging to the Department of Justice at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or ncdoj.gov/pricegouging.”
- The Fayetteville Marksmen hockey team has postponed its Thursday morning Education Day game at the Crown Coliseum, which was to provide a field trip for school students. The Education Day game will now be held on Tuesday next week.
Fort Bragg closures and curtailed hours for soldiers and civilians
Fort Bragg will release non-essential service members and civilians at 1 p.m. Wednesday. The post’s schools will send students home at 1 p.m. Wednesday, and Womack Army Medical Center will close at 1 p.m.
Children at Fort Bragg’s Child and Youth Services locations must be picked up by 2 p.m. Wednesday.
The post exchange stores and facilities will close at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Access control points: Rock Merritt, Canopy, Manchester and Butner gates will close at 2 p.m. Wednesday. The All American, R. Miller, Long Street, Chicken, Simmons, Honeycutt, Yadkin, and Linden Oaks gates will remain open. The Knox Truck Plaza will be open until 9 p.m.
Shelter for homeless people
Cumberland County has opened its White Flag shelters, where people who need a warm place to sleep may stay overnight. And the city and county are allowing people to stay in public buildings during the day to get warm.
The White Flag shelters:
- True Vine Ministries, 5315 Morganton Road, Fayetteville.
- Cornerstone Christian Empowerment Center, 111 N. Bragg Blvd., Spring Lake.
- The Salvation Army of the Sandhills Region, 245 Alexander St., Fayetteville.
Daytime warming centers:
- Cumberland County Department of Social Services Auxiliary Lobby, 1225 Ramsey St., Fayetteville.
- Cumberland County Department of Public Health First Floor Lobby, Location: 1235 Ramsey St., Fayetteville.
- All eight Cumberland County Public Library locations.
- Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation rec centers.
- Fayetteville Area System of Transit (FAST) transit center, 505 Franklin St., Fayetteville.
- Fayetteville Cares Day Resource Center, 128 South King St., Fayetteville.
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