Mayor Mitch Colvin and Cumberland County officials have declared a State of Emergency effective Friday morning, as the Sandhills region prepares for a potentially historic winter storm. With the National Weather Service issuing a Winter Storm Warning from Friday afternoon through Sunday, authorities are issuing an urgent plea for residents to finalize preparations and stay off the roads.

Significant Snowfall and Hazardous Winds Expected

Forecasters are predicting a rapid deterioration of conditions starting early Saturday morning. Officials urge residents to prepare for 4 to 8 inches of snow, with higher accumulations possible in some areas.

"Snowfall is expected to impact much of the state this weekend, which could disrupt daily life for several days," Governor Josh Stein warned during a Friday briefing. "Snow accumulation, strong winds, and dangerously cold temperatures will make travel unsafe."

Officials Urge Extreme Caution and Preparedness

As the storm approaches, local leaders are highlighting several critical safety directives:

• Road Safety: Officials urge drivers to stay home. If travel is unavoidable, reduce speeds drastically. "Driving at posted speeds could be extremely dangerous when snow and ice are on the road," City officials noted.

• Heating Dangers: The Fire Department urges residents to heat safely. Keep space heaters at least three feet from flammable materials and never use generators or grills indoors due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Vulnerable Populations: Residents are encouraged to check on elderly neighbors and those without reliable heat.

• Pet Safety: Officials remind pet owners that animals must be brought indoors as temperatures drop into the teens.

Weekend Service Closures

Due to the forecasted 25-40 mph wind gusts and heavy snow, the following services are suspended:

• Transit: FAST bus services and the Transit Center will be closed Saturday and Sunday.

• Recreation: Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation facilities and gated parks are closed all weekend.

• County Services: All Cumberland County offices and facilities are closed Saturday and Sunday.

• Healthcare: Cape Fear Valley Health has closed Health Pavilion North Express Care and HealthPlex for Saturday.

Shelters and Emergency Assistance

Community partner shelters and warming centers will remain open throughout the weekend to support residents in need of a safe, warm environment. The Salvation Army of the Sandhills, located at 245 Alexander St. in Fayetteville, is open to individuals and families and provides meals in a safe environment; guests should be prepared for security screenings upon check-in. In Spring Lake, the Cornerstone Christian Empowerment Center at 111 N. Bragg Blvd. will operate from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., with intake held between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. This location offers dinner and breakfast, as well as a shuttle service to and from the Fayetteville Cares Day Resource Center, though this service may be suspended if road conditions worsen. Additionally, the Salvation Army will activate as a warming center from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. to provide daytime relief and meals.

For those requiring emergency transportation to these shelters, services will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday as long as road conditions allow. Residents in need should call the County Non-Emergency Line at 910-600-7299 to coordinate a pickup. Please note that families with children must provide their own car seats to utilize this service. Officials encourage everyone to make their shelter plans early and to shelter in place if travel eventually becomes too dangerous.

Power Outage Reporting

Utility crews are on standby, but officials urge residents to be prepared for scattered outages caused by high winds. To report an outage, contact:

• PWC: 910-483-1382

• Duke Energy: 1-800-419-6356

• South River EMC: 1-800-338-5530

• Lumbee River EMC: 1-800-683-5571

Make sure to stay informed by following Fay News 10 on social media for real-time weather updates and breaking news throughout the weekend.