As the City of Hickory braces for yet another winter storm this weekend, street crews are taking preventative measures to manage the impending snowfall. According to the city's latest announcement, workers have already begun the process of brining the roads in an effort to thwart snow buildup and aid in future snow removal operations.
By laying down a layer of brine, the goal is to diminish the potential for ice, thereby keeping the streets more navigable as temperatures plummet. The city has made it clear that salt and sand will be scattered across bridges and main roads first, and plowing endeavors will commence once there's an excess of two inches of snow. Despite these efforts, however, residents have a crucial role to play. As the city implores local denizens to move their vehicles off the streets, "One vehicle can stop an entire neighborhood from being cleared," the city's statement warned.
Emergency services and city staff are prepared to operate continuously during the storm, prioritizing key routes for clearance. These critical thoroughfares include N.C. 127 and Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard, among others, which will be the focus before any attention is turned to less significant streets, and only after priority ones have are passable.
'Residents are strongly urged to remove vehicles from on-street parking before the storm begins,' the city emphasized, explaining the importance of unobstructed access for the plows. In light of the forecasted deep freeze, with temperatures expected to dive into the low teens, officials are advising citizens to hunker down and postpone any travel that isn't imperative. The stretch of harsh conditions is likely to last well beyond the storm's passage.
Preparations by locals should include stocking up on necessities like food and medicine, ensuring that flashlights and radios are operational in case of power cuts, and adopting measures to protect against frozen plumbing. The city also encourages community-mindedness: checking on the elderly and those with additional needs is especially important during such times. Contact numbers for various services have been provided: emergencies should be directed to 911, non-emergency issues to the local police at 828-328-5551, snow or solid waste concerns to 828-323-7500, and Duke Energy customers can report power outages at 800-POWERON or 800-777-9898.
For more detailed information on storm preparations and safety guidelines, Hickory residents are directed to the city's official announcement on its website.
