Bracing for a potentially icy weekend, Wake Forest officials have laid out a plan of action should the wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain forecast from Friday evening through Saturday morning materialize. The town, according to a news release uncovered by Town of Wake Forest's official website, remains vigilant and ready to deploy resources as needed to keep the community safe and functioning.
Public works crews have been pre-treating bridges, overpasses, and habitual slick areas with brine since Thursday morning, a strategy that’s meant to use less salt and provide immediate results unlike the more typical, but less reliable rock salt that can be dislodged from pavements. Despite the crystal clear threat of inclement weather loudly knocking at its door, citizens can expect town facilities to keep running on regular schedules unless alternative announcements are made through the town's established communication channels.
Armed with over 300 tons of a sand/salt mix, Wake Forest's Public Works portfolio includes eight truck-mounted plows, a motor grader, and two backhoes for clearing a network of 156 miles of roads. "Crews are positioned to respond around the clock until this event has ended and roads are safe," said the release from the Town of Wake Forest's site. The preparation extends beyond the immediate response as personnel have also been busy clearing storm drains to sidestep flooding, with a call to residents to lend a hand by removing debris from storm drains in their own vicinities.
When it comes to travel, residents are beseeched to limit their use of the roads, which becomes a handling beast of its own in wintry conditions. Should you need to navigate the streets, the town advises fully ridding your vehicle of ice and snow to avert creating danger for fellow drivers. Moreover, the recommendation is to turn on headlights and maintain an extensive distance from the vehicle ahead - a nod to the increased braking distance required on slippery roads.
Wake Forest Power has not been idle while others make preparations; proactive measures such as year-round maintenance and tree trimming around the town's 140 miles of overhead electric lines serve as a testament to their commitment. The aim is to reduce the risk of downed trees and limbs, which according to the town's report, are the primary culprits in power outages during such storms.
