Wake Forest prepared for possible wintry weather, service changes & closures announced

Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - 3:05pm

With weather forecasters calling for the possibility of frozen precipitation tonight, the Town of Wake Forest is prepared should wintry weather affect our community.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Wake County from 5 p.m. today (Tuesday, Jan. 21) until 7 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22. Snow accumulations of up to one inch are expected.

 

Normal Operations

  • The Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St., Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St., and Northern Wake Senior Center,  235 E. Holding Ave., will operate today according to their normal schedules. A decision about tomorrow’s schedules will be announced by 7 a.m. Wednesday.

  • Tonight’s Board of Commissioners meeting will proceed as scheduled at 6 p.m. in the Town Hall Board Chambers.

 

Schedule Changes

Due to the forecast, the following Wake Forest programs, services, and facilities are impacted:

  • Today’s Youth League Basketball games and winter off-season development baseball program are canceled.

  • Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road, Flaherty Park Community Center, 1226 N. White St., Wake Forest Community House, 133 W. Owen Ave., and Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St., will close today at 5 p.m. A decision about tomorrow’s schedules will be announced by 7 a.m. Wednesday.

  • Go Wake Forest will suspend service today (Tuesday, Jan. 21), at 7 p.m. and delay the start of service on Wednesday, Jan. 22, until 8 a.m.

  • Meals on Wheels will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Town officials will continue to monitor weather conditions throughout the day and evening. Any changes to Town operations or programs will be posted on the Town website (http://bit.ly/WFSevereWeatherUpdates) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TownofWakeForest/), and shared via the Town app (http://bit.ly/TOWFApp).

 

Public Works

In anticipation of this winter event, crews began applying brine to Wake Forest bridges, overpasses, and traditional slick spots on Tuesday morning.

Brine is a salt and water mixture. The use of brine uses less salt since it is applied in liquid form, and the salt can begin to work immediately. Unlike rock salt which can roll off or be blown off hard surfaces, brine bonds to the pavement. It is also more effective than solid salt in lower temperatures. Once ice forms on roads, crews spread a mixture of salt and sand to melt the ice.

Wake Forest has over 300 tons of sand/salt mix supply on site, along with eight truck-mounted plows, one motor grader and two backhoes available to clear Wake Forest's 156 miles of roads. Crews are positioned to respond around the clock until this event has ended and roads are safe.

In the event of ice or snow, crews will clear thoroughfares and primary roads first. Motorists are urged not to park on the street, so plows and other Town equipment can effectively service the area. The Town does not clear school parking lots or private parking lots, including those in apartment and condominium complexes or at businesses.

 

When to call 911

Residents are reminded not to call 911 unless there is an emergency posing an immediate threat to life, health, or property. Similarly, residents should not report icy road conditions via SeeClickFix. All non-emergency calls, including reports of icy road conditions and immediate needs for service, should be placed to 919-554-6150.

 

Attention Motorists

In the event of wintry weather, motorists are urged to stay off the roads - unless absolutely necessary. When you venture out on the roads, you not only put yourself at risk, but you also put others in jeopardy. Then, if you are involved in an accident, police officers and first responders are at risk. You can help yourself, your neighbors, law enforcement and first responders by simply staying off the roads.

If you must venture out, first remove the ice and snow from your vehicle, particularly from the hood, windows, and roof. Ice and snow that dislodges from a moving vehicle can create hazardous driving conditions for other vehicles resulting in property damage and/or injury. 

Also, while driving, turn on your headlights, and give extra following distance to allow more stopping time on slippery surfaces. 

 

Wake Forest Power

Downed trees and limbs are the leading cause of power outages during storms. Wake Forest Power works to minimize storm impacts year-round through preventive maintenance, including trimming of trees around Wake Forest’s 140 miles of overhead electric distribution lines.

 

If you lose power

  • Wake Forest Power customers call 919-435-9478 or visit https://bit.ly/WFPowerReportOutage.

  • Wake Electric customers call 855-280-1147;

  • Duke Energy Progress customers call 800-419-6356.

 

Stay Informed

In the event severe weather occurs, the Town will issue regular updates through a variety of means. To stay informed residents can: