Asheville officials urges residents to stay off roads tonight

As N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory also urged today, Asheville city officials asked residents to stay off the roads tonight: “As temperatures drop overnight, many roads are expected to refreeze creating dangerous driving conditions. Any unnecessary travel on roads is strongly discouraged. Additionally, extreme low temperatures and wind chill will make exposure a danger unless multiple layers are worn.” And Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer asked that residents check on their elderly neighbors.

See below for details about bus service, trash pickup and shelters.

ASHEVILLE – With inclement weather and extreme cold anticipated to continue into Wednesday, February 18, City of Asheville officials are urging residents to stay off the roads.

As temperatures drop overnight, many roads are expected to refreeze creating dangerous driving conditions. Any unnecessary travel on roads is strongly discouraged. Additionally, extreme low temperatures and wind chill will make exposure a danger unless multiple layers are worn.

Area shelters continue to implement Code Purple, offering extended services to people experiencing homelessness.

City of Asheville Public Works crews continue to provide around-the-clock service salting and scraping city streets Tuesday night into Wednesday.

Ride the ART bus service will run first departures at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Please find up-to-date schedule and route information at www.ridetheart.com.

All City of Asheville parking garages will remain open and free to the public until 10 a.m. Wednesday. Drivers are asked to park in garages instead of on street to leave room for Public Works plows.

All Parks and Recreation Centers and programs will remain closed the evening of Tuesday, February 17.

Garbage and recycling collection continued Tuesday once roads thawed, and collection is currently anticipated to continue Wednesday conditions permitting.

Police, fire, emergency response and public works personnel will continue operating on a 24 hour schedule.

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer has asked that residents please check on neighbors, especially elderly neighbors, who may be without extra support during these extreme weather conditions.

In the event of an emergency, citizens are urged to call 9-1-1. Citizens who are in need of prescription medications or medical supplies and services but are unable to leave their homes due to hazardous roadway conditions may call 252-1110 for assistance.  Citizens are advised to keep informed by monitoring local media which will post any shelter openings, locations and other valuable information based upon updated press releases from the City of Asheville.

Downed power lines are dangerous and should be reported to 911.  Power outages can be reported to Duke Energy Progress by calling the toll-free, automated outage reporting system at 1-800-769-3766. Spanish speaking customers should call 1-866-4APAGON (427-2466) for outage reporting assistance. For those with access to the internet, outages can be reported by at: http://www.duke-energy.com/north-carolina/outages.asp.  For information regarding the outage restoration process please visit http://www.duke-energy.com/north-carolina/outages.asp

Updates about weather conditions and city services can be found at www.ashevillenc.gov andwww.facebook.com/cityofasheville and www.twitter.com/cityofasheville  . The Asheville Fire Department will share information about roadway conditions and other emergency notifications atwww.twitter.com/ashevillefd.

This press release can be found online at http://ow.ly/JdNjv.