With the threat of wintry weather in the forecast for Wednesday and Thursday this week, the City of New Bern is taking steps to prepare. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Craven County from 7am Wednesday through 10am Thursday, and Governor Josh Stein has issued a State of Emergency. Deteriorating weather conditions will start with rain Wednesday morning, turning to snow, ice, and sleet by midday through the overnight. Then on Thursday, snow is expected until around noon. Temperatures will hover around freezing during the day and sink into the teens and 20s overnight. Forecasters say the greatest risk for the New Bern area is ice, with up to a half inch expected.
This wintry weather will have several significant impacts. Take time to prepare now and heed the following recommendations:
- As conditions worsen, stay off the roads. If travel is necessary, plan extra time, slow down and use caution.
- If your vehicle is covered in snow and/or ice, please clean it off for your safety and the safety of others. Restock your car’s emergency kit to include blankets, a flashlight, and extra food and water.
- If you lose power, report it by calling (252)636-4070. The City’s online “Report a Problem” feature is another way to report power outages, water/sewer problems and other non-emergency issues. Visit www.newbernnc.gov/
reportaproblem. - Take time now to disconnect outdoor hoses, insulate outdoor spigots, and open interior cabinet doors to circulate warm air around your plumbing. Consider allowing water to drip from an interior faucet to prevent freezing pipes. If your pipes freeze, turn off the main water valve to prevent further damage.
- Check space heaters to make sure you’re using them safely. Place heaters on low, flat surfaces at least 3 feet away from flammable items. Do not leave a space heater running unattended, especially for long periods of time. Don’t leave a space heater running overnight. Keep space heaters out of high traffic areas and don’t plug them into extension cords or power strips.
- Energy conservation is strongly encouraged with increasing demands for energy on the New Bern electrical system and regional electric system during severe weather.
- Bring the pets inside and check on friends and neighbors, especially the elderly. Dangerously cold temperatures can have significant impacts on your health.
On Tuesday morning, city staff began preparing for this winter storm. Tools and equipment have been assembled, vehicles have been fueled, and additional staff assignments have been completed to ensure adequate response to storm impacts.
Public Works crews have loaded salt spreaders and brine tanks and prepared snowplows. Tuesday afternoon, they began spreading a salt brine solution on roadways in advance of the storm. If you find yourself in traffic behind a salt, sand, or brining operation, please stay back for safety and to allow crews to appropriately treat roadways.
Icy conditions bring the threat of falling branches and trees, as well as damage to power infrastructure. Department of Public Utilities (DPU) crews are staged and ready to respond to any utility issues that may arise. Please use the phone number and link above to report any power outages or utility damages.
As of right now, City offices will operate on a normal schedule for Wednesday. We will continue to monitor weather forecasts and current conditions to determine operational hours for Wednesday afternoon and evening. As of Tuesday afternoon, GFL reports that trash and recycling services will run as normal for Wednesday until conditions are too dangerous for crews to service their routes.
Delays or closures of city facilities and cancellations of programs and services (if any) will be posted on our website at www.NewBernNC.gov, sent out through New Bern Alerts, and posted on social media. Follow us on Facebook @cityofnb and on Instagram @cityofnewbern. We will also use New Bern Alerts (our emergency notification system) to share information with subscribers through texts, emails, and/or phone calls. Sign up for New Bern Alerts by visiting our website at www.newbernnc.gov/
If you haven’t already, take time now to prepare for this winter storm. Stay tuned to reliable sources for the latest on the forecast and stay safe.
