Winter Storm Warning Issued; Vance Preparing
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RALEIGH HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM FRIDAY TO 7 PM EST SATURDAY – click here for more
Brian Short, Director of Emergency Management for Vance County and Henderson, has provided the latest briefing from the NWS regarding the winter weather event that will be moving into the area tomorrow and into Saturday.
Click here for the latest National Weather Service briefing – 4:15 p.m., January 5, 2016
In his afternoon email to local preparedness groups and local media, Short said, “Our snowfall totals have increased a little throughout the day and there is certainly the potential for us to receive substantial snowfall by the time this event finally subsides late in the day on Saturday.
“We have spent the majority of the day today coordinating with our local and State response partners. If this event does not diminish or worsens by tomorrow, we will likely be implementing a local State of Emergency that would remain in place as long as needed.
“We have no plans to open shelters at this time. This is the posture that we typically take during winter weather events especially when the likelihood of widespread (power) outages is not expected.
“The 911 communications center will be overstaffed and will remain overstaffed as long as it is warranted. We remain poised to take further action if it should become necessary.
“We do ask that once the snow begins to fall, that everyone please stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary as travel will likely become hazardous. This will also allow our road crews to do their jobs and scrape the roads as effectively as they can.
“Additional information will be forwarded along as it is received.”