Offices closed as Fayetteville, Cumberland gird for winter storm

Myron B. Pitts, The Fayetteville Observer
·2 min read
City snow plows and trucks are parked at the City of Fayetteville's street maintenance division downtown. City officials advised residents to stay off the road as much as possible starting Thursday evening as a major winter storm moves in overnight.
City snow plows and trucks are parked at the City of Fayetteville's street maintenance division downtown. City officials advised residents to stay off the road as much as possible starting Thursday evening as a major winter storm moves in overnight.

City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County offices will close Friday, the city will suspend bus service and the county will open an emergency shelter as officials gird for a winter storm.

The storm is expected to ramp up in the evening and overnight Thursday and bring a mix of rain, snow and ice. Severe conditions could continue into Saturday, according to current forecasts.

At a 2 p.m. press conference Thursday, city personnel advised residents to stay off the road that evening and into the weekend.

More: Weather Permitting: Up to 3 inches of snow forecast for Fayetteville through Saturday

“Stay off the roadways if at all possible,” said Lee Jernigan, the city’s assistant public services director, in his update about street preparations for the storm. “That gives our crews more room to operate in a safe environment for them and you.”

Jernigan said crews were spreading brine on all major city-owned roads, on bridges, at fire stations, Fayetteville Regional Airport and transit facilities.

With offices closed, only essential city and county employees will report to work. Public safety operations, such as law enforcement and fire, will take place as normal.

An emergency shelter was scheduled to open 4 p.m. Thursday at Smith Recreation Center at 1520 Slater Ave., according to a Cumberland County news release. The shelter is to be available until noon Sunday.

More: Fayetteville area weather related closings, delays and cancellations

More: Photos: Snow in the Fayetteville area over the years

“Although all Cumberland County residents are welcome, the intent for this warming shelter is for individuals who have no other shelter options during a winter weather event,” the county release states. “Meals will be provided, but unfortunately due to a lack of staff because of COVID-19 and position vacancies, pets will not be allowed to be housed at the shelter.”

COVID-19 screening will be conducted at the shelter, and people who test positive will be placed in isolation or quarantine areas, the release said.

Bus service with Fayetteville Area Regional Transit will run until 7 p.m. Thursday, but are not scheduled to run on Friday, said Tyffany Neal, assistant transit director, at Thursday’s news conference.

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Buses were scheduled to operate overnight to take people to emergency shelters, she said.

The court system will be closed Friday. People with scheduled court dates will be notified over mail, or they can check the Clerk of Court office’s website for information.

Opinion Editor Myron B. Pitts can be reached at mpitts@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3559.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville & Cumberland County offices close Friday for winter storm