As Gov. Josh Stein declared a State of Emergency ahead of a severe winter storm this weekend, officials in Greensboro and Guilford County prepared to ensure their residents remain safe.
On Thursday morning, Nathanael Moore, deputy director of transportation for the City of Greensboro, issued a warning.
“If you have to be out, be safe,” Moore said. “Be careful out there.”
The city is working to pre-treat about 530 miles of road and about 130 bridges with salt brine by the end of Friday, according to Moore. This helps any snow or ice to melt when it hits the streets. After snow begins to fall, the city will deploy its fleet of snowplows and trucks to spread coarse salt, which will cling to the precipitation, helping it melt.
The city uses about 50 trucks to salt close to 2,400 miles of city roads in the event of snow. The city operates two salt barns, housing about 10 million pounds of salt.
For salting the roads, the city has three levels of priority. Priority 1 includes major thoroughfares like Wendover and Battleground, totaling about 1,180 miles. Priority 2 would be minor roads, bus routes, and residential collectors. Priority 3 includes residential and neighborhood roads.
While the city’s priority is maintaining safe streets before, during, and after the storm, Moore said residents should prepare early before the storm hits.
“Get what you need now,” he said.
When it comes to plowing snow, the city operates an interactive snow-removal route map that allows the public to view progress in real time.
Schedule-wise, the city aims to have 90% of the Priority 1 routes cleared within 36 hours from the end of the storm. Seventy-five percent of the Priority 2 routes would be cleared within 48 hours from the end of the storm, and 75% of all neighborhood streets would be made navigable within 72 hours.
Some of the city’s facilities will be closed due to the forecast, including the household hazardous waste collection center at 2750 Patterson Street. Other facilities, like public libraries, will be determined by those specific departments. Residents should refer to the city’s website or social media for additional closures.
What the County is Doing
On Thursday, Skip Alston, chair of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners, issued a State of Emergency ahead of the coming storm.
The county is doing what it can to shore up resources for the weekend, said Scott Muthersbaugh, public information officer for Guilford County Emergency Services.
“We’re keeping a close eye on what the system is expected to do, and we’re reacting to that,” Muthersbaugh said.
That means increasing staffing for emergency services like paramedics. Staff who might not be able to make it to work due to unsafe road conditions may be asked to stay overnight at one of the county’s facilities that is outfitted with beds, he said.
“Our expectation and intention is not to have the emergency medical services side affected at all,” Muthersbaugh said.
If the effects of the storm last into next week, Muthersbaugh said, some county services like the animal shelter, public health, the register of deeds, and the department of social services could be impacted.
Those who want to stay informed on county updates should register on the county’s alert network, GEANI, Muthersbaugh said.
Out of the Cold
The coming storm is particularly worrisome for those who are unhoused in the city. Local organizations, such as Greensboro Urban Ministry, are getting ready.
One hundred beds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests can show up at GUM’s doorstep on 305 W. Gate City Blvd., but a hotline is available to secure a spot, added Brian Hahne, GUM’s chief executive officer. He said the organization moves in 3-7 residents per day, and they have availability currently.
Eighty-four of those beds are reserved for men and 16 for women. Men are more likely than women to become homeless due to incarceration rates and the stigma surrounding seeking help. According to data from the state’s 2024 point-in-time count, men make up 58% of North Carolina’s unhoused population.
Due to the ongoing extreme temperatures, guests have the option to stay in GUM’s day room through the weekend. Hahne said they will also provide ongoing contact with case management.
“While we’re providing safe shelter and good warm meals,” Hahne said, “The work of case management and working on [guests’] goals toward health and sustainability is really what we’re aiming for.”
The city of Greensboro is partnering with staff from the Interactive Resource Center to provide temporary emergency shelter, also called white flag, at First Baptist Church, located at 1000 W Friendly Ave. Upward of 90 guests are staying at that shelter, Hahne said, which can host up to 100.
“Those aren’t beds, those are just chairs,” Hahne clarified.
With the help of city funding, the IRC is giving more than 120 people a place to sleep at Pomona Park in temporary Pallet shelters.
According to Guilford County’s 2024 PIT count, 665 people are without stable housing.
Hahne says the larger problem is how many families are experiencing housing insecurity, which will persist long after the storm is over.
“That’s what’s got me worried and keeps me up at night,” Hahne said. “Some live in cars, some couch surf, or spread their kids out amongst family members or friends. It’s really sad.”
The white flag center is open to families, but Hahne says it’s not ideal for children. Right now, GUM is trying to figure out how to expand its family shelter to provide more stability.
A collaborative effort with other area organizations, businesses, and local government is aimed at addressing the systemic issues facing the unhoused in the community, Hahne said.
“We’ve all come to this realization that no one agency can do it alone. We want to continue to foster that kind of safety net that really does care for our neighbor.”
Brian Hahne, chief executive officer for Greensboro Urban Ministry
To prepare for the storm, the Servant Center for disabled veterans experiencing homelessness is buying a couple of generators, according to John Wing, the organization’s development and marketing director. Last year, nearly all of their clients found permanent housing, and 95% secured a reliable source of income.
The Servant Center is also seeking donations of warm clothing that can be dropped off at their headquarters. And if anyone needs a place to stay, the Servant Center has long-standing relationships with other organizations such as GUM and the IRC and will ensure that they’re taken care of, Wing said.
“We’ll make arrangements to make sure somebody is out of the cold,” he added.
“There’s been a big improvement in communication and collaboration,” Hahne said, “We’ve all come to this realization that no one agency can do it alone. We want to continue to foster that kind of safety net that really does care for our neighbor.”
What About Public Schools?
Guilford County Schools has yet to announce any closings or delays as of Thursday afternoon. Making those determinations involves several factors, according to the district. The biggest concern is transportation and buses.
According to the district’s inclement weather policy, bus drivers start work around 5 a.m. and routes take four to five hours to complete.
“Whenever possible, GCS strives to make decisions the evening before anticipated bad weather, giving families time to plan,” the district’s website states.
Sometimes, however, decisions are made in the morning, when icase district staff convenes around 3 a.m. to evaluate conditions. Then decisions are communicated through phone calls, emails, texts, social media, local news, and the district website. The best way to stay informed is to opt in to district communication by calling 1-855-502-7867 or texting START to 60680 for non-emergency communication or to 54968 for emergency alerts.
