Wake Forest preparing for wintry weather, service changes & closures announced

Tuesday, February 18, 2025 - 5:27pm

The Town of Wake Forest is monitoring the inclement weather forecast for our area. 

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Wake County from 7 a.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday. Mixed precipitation is expected with total snow and sleet accumulations of up to three inches possible.

 

Closings & Schedule Changes

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

  • 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 be closed Wednesday. 

  • Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St., will be closed. Tickets can be purchased online at www.wakeforestrencen.org/tickets-events.

  • Northern Wake Senior Center, 235 E. Holding Ave., and Meals on Wheels will be closed Wednesday, Feb. 19. For updates, call 919-554-4111.

  • All youth basketball games and practices scheduled for Wednesday have been canceled and will be rescheduled.

    NOTE: The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department's inclement weather policy states that whenever inclement weather conditions force the Wake County Public School System to close schools or implement an early release, then all PRCR games and practices will be canceled at all sites. 

  • Wednesday's Musical Theater Workshop at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St., is canceled.

  • Go Wake Forest will suspend service Wednesday, Feb. 19, at noon. 

 

Solid Waste

  • Wednesday’s recycling collection has been canceled, so crews can focus on trash collection.

  • Beginning at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Republic Services will dedicate 13 trucks (five more than usual) to Wednesday’s trash collection route. Republic’s goal is to complete as much of Wednesday’s route as possible before the winter weather arrives causing hazardous road conditions. Residents on the Wednesday trash collection route are urged to leave their rollout trash carts at the curb by 6 a.m. Wednesday.

  • Yard waste collection will run according to the normal schedule unless or until road conditions become hazardous.

  • Additional information will be provided as it becomes available, including updates to this week’s recycling collection schedule.


Town Hall

  • The Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St., will open at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Town officials will monitor conditions throughout the day and make adjustments as necessary.

 

Public Works

On Monday, crews began applying brine to Wake Forest bridges, overpasses, and traditional slick spots. Staff will continue such preparations through Tuesday evening.

Once snow accumulates on the roads, crews will spread salt and sand on town-owned primary and secondary roads as needed. After two-to-four inches of snow accumulates, crews of 10 will use eight plows to begin clearing primary roads in 12-hour shifts. They will continue plowing town-owned primary roads until they are passable. Crews will then transition to town-owned secondary roads before moving to residential streets as a last priority. This Powell Bill Map identifies NCDOT-maintained roads and Town-owned roads.

It is important to note that as snow amounts fluctuate, crews will move back and forth between primary and secondary roads. Based on this forecast, you can expect that the street in front of your home will not be plowed until Thursday evening or Friday morning.

You can help us be safe and move more quickly by staying off the road, moving your car into your driveway, and being prepared to stay home for the next three days.  

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: