The recent winter storm in Wake Forest has moved on, but it has left a significant impact in its wake. With a blanket of three inches of snow now transitioning into dangerous patches of black ice, residents are being advised to exercise caution while traveling. Conditions are expected to worsen as temperatures plummet, making black ice more prevalent and creating hazardous conditions on the road. "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," reports the Town of Wake Forest's official website. Additionally, residents are reminded to clear snow and ice off their vehicles to prevent creating additional dangers for others on the road.
The Public Works crews aren’t taking any breaks as they continue to tackle the slick streets, laying down a mixture of sand and salt, while plowing main roads and neighborhoods. Residents are urged to keep streets clear by not parking on them, ensuring that plows can do their job, “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.” Even though the town has taken an active stance, they are not responsible for school or private parking lots, which includes businesses and residential complexes, as per the Town of Wake Forest.
Some adjustments have been made to the regular schedule of services and facilities in the area. The Town Hall will open late on Friday, along with the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre Box Office and various community centers. There are, however, closings to note, including the Northern Wake Senior Center and a suspension of Meals on Wheels deliveries. On the transportation front, Go Wake Forest has delayed its services, and the Board of Adjustment meeting set for Thursday has been canceled outright. With black history month in full swing, some related events have also been shelved due to the weather conditions.
When it comes to waste management, Republic Services will not operate Friday due to the icy roads, and so, "RS will service the Thursday and Friday trash collection routes tomorrow." Recycling collections set for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday have been deferred to the next week following the normal schedule, detailed by the Town of Wake Forest. Yard waste collection, nonetheless, will press on and resume on Friday. Similarly, the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department have called off programs set for Thursday and Friday, which impacts youth basketball games too. Wake Forest Power reported no outages and emphasized that preventive maintenance is a year-round effort.
For emergencies and service updates subject to the current conditions, residents of Wake Forest are reminded to use proper channels. The 911 service should only be used for urgent emergencies, while non-emergency calls related to the weather can be directed to 919-554-6150. Pedestrian safety is also addressed with a plea for individuals to stick to sidewalks and for sledders to secure permission before using private properties. In an effort to keep everyone up-to-date, information regarding severe weather will be disseminated through the Town of Wake Forest's website, Facebook page, app, and email notifications.
