A low-pressure system is expected to bring winter weather to much of North Carolina, starting late Friday. For Sanford, this storm could result in mixed precipitation, including snow, sleet, freezing rain, and rain.
The City of Sanford is actively monitoring the storm's track and timing. Public Works crews are on standby and ready to assist as needed.
Fedd Walker, Public Works Director, stated that all transportation and grounds staff are on heightened alert for potential after-hours work. If necessary, two shift work crews will be mobilized to respond to conditions.
To minimize the impact of the expected winter weather, Public Works is fully equipped with the necessary tools and resources, including radios, phones, fuel, chainsaws, trucks, backhoes, plows, and salt/sand spreaders.
In preparation for possible snow, sleet, or freezing rain, crews will pretreat high-risk areas, such as City-maintained overpasses, bridges, and shaded streets, with a mixture of salt and sand starting on Thursday. Plows will be deployed on City-maintained streets if snow accumulation exceeds one inch. Note that the City cannot plow ice.
Additionally, the North Carolina Department of Transportation is deploying trucks to brine major highways and thoroughfares across the state, including Sanford.
Duke Energy and Central Electric are also monitoring the forecast and the potential for power outages due to snow and ice. Customers can report outages through the following methods:
Lee County residents are encouraged to enroll in CodeRED, an electronic emergency notification system that provides alerts via telephone, text, and email. CodeRED is free to use and ensures timely notifications in emergencies. To register, visit the Emergency Management section on the Lee County website.
The Sanford Police Department and Sanford Fire Department will operate as usual. In case of life-threatening emergencies, dial 9-1-1. For other urgent concerns, such as downed trees or flooding in public roadways, call 919-775-8268.
For emergency information from the City of Sanford, sign up for emergency alerts. Check www.tririverwater.com and follow TriRiver Water on social media for water and wastewater information.
The City will provide any necessary updates about our storm response through our website, social media outlets, and Spectrum Channel 191. For general emergency response information, visit the Emergency Preparation section of our website.