Winter Weather Update – openings, closings & schedule changes

The winter storm that left over three inches of powdery snow in Wake Forest is history, but its impacts linger. Although most primary and secondary roads have improved, ice that melted today will likely refreeze overnight.

As a result, patchy black ice is expected to be a major concern over the next few days as temperatures drop well below freezing. If you must venture out, slow down, avoid using cruise control, use your low-beam headlights to better see icy pavement, and give extra following distance to allow more stopping time. 

Also, before you drive, 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. 

 

Public Works

Public Works crews are working tirelessly to treat Town-owned roads. Crews are spreading sand and salt along main thoroughfares and historically icy areas. Now that the ice has started to thaw, crews are also plowing primary and main streets within neighborhoods.

Residents are urged not to park on the street, so plows and other Town equipment can effectively service the area. As a reminder, the Town does not clear school parking lots or private parking lots, including those in apartment and condominium complexes or at businesses.

 

Openings & Closings

  • Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St., will open Friday at 10 a.m.

  • The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre Box Office, 405 S. Brooks St., will be open 1-5 p.m. Friday. Please note: Saturday’s Minority & Women-Owned Business Expo at the Renaissance Centre is on as scheduled from 1-4 p.m.

  • Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road, Flaherty Park Community Center, 1226 N. White St., and Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St., will be open noon-8 p.m. Friday, then resume normal hours of operation Saturday (8 a.m.-4 p.m.). 

  • Northern Wake Senior Center, 235 E. Holding Ave., and Meals on Wheels will be closed Friday. Meals will not be delivered to home-delivered clients.

 

Schedule Changes

  • Go Wake Forest suspended service on Thursday and will delay the start of Friday service until 10 a.m.

  • Thursday's Board of Adjustment meeting has been canceled.

  • Friday's Black History Month Walking Tour has been canceled.

 

Solid Waste

  • Due to icy road conditions, Republic Services (RS) will not operate on Friday. 

  • RS will service the Thursday and Friday trash collection routes on Saturday, Feb. 22. 

  • RS will not service the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday recycling collection routes this week. Those routes will be serviced next week (February 26-28) according to the normal operations schedule.

  • Yard waste collection will resume Friday.

 

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources

  • All PRCR programs scheduled for Thursday and Friday have been canceled.

  • All youth basketball games scheduled for Thursday have been canceled and will be rescheduled. No games or practices are scheduled for Friday.

  • 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. 

 

Wake Forest Power

No power outages have been reported. 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.

 

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 Pedestrians 

When you're out and about, please walk along sidewalks - not in the street and roadway. During wintry weather events, police often witness pedestrians walking in the middle of the road. During wintry weather, your chances of being struck by a motorist are much greater due to poor visibility and icy road conditions. 

 

Attention Sledders

Before you sled on private property, be sure to obtain permission from the property owner first. Otherwise, you're trespassing.

 

Stay Informed

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