ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — City and county officials across Western North Carolina continued monitoring impacts from Winter Storm Fern on Monday as cold temperatures, gusty winds and snow affected travel and public services.
In Asheville, low temperatures and wind gusts persisted throughout the day, with snowfall reported across much of the city and light accumulations in some areas. Public Works crews were deployed to monitor road conditions and apply salt as needed, while additional crews remained on standby to respond to downed trees or other weather-related hazards. Officials urged motorists to use caution while traveling.
The City of Asheville’s Emergency Operations Center reduced its status to Level 4 — Monitoring — at 11 a.m. All public safety personnel, including water and public works staff, returned to normal operations, though Public Works and Water employees were to remain on call outside regular business hours. Police and fire departments continue operating on standard 24/7 schedules.
All Asheville city government offices are scheduled to reopen Tuesday, Jan. 27, and resume normal business hours. The Asheville City Council meeting will be held in person at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Asheville community centers are also set to reopen for normal operations.
City parking garages are returning to normal operations Monday night. Exit gates will remain open until 8 a.m. Tuesday, allowing vehicles to exit at no cost before that time.
ART bus service resumed at 1 p.m. Monday. Most routes are expected to operate as scheduled, though riders may experience delays or detours. Service updates will be communicated through iRide alerts.
Sanitation services in Asheville are expected to resume Tuesday with a one-day delay. Officials said any changes to the collection schedule will be announced by 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The 2026 Point-in-Time count of individuals experiencing homelessness in Buncombe County was postponed because of the winter storm. Originally scheduled for Jan. 27 and 28, the count has been rescheduled for Feb. 10 and 11.
Several Asheville Parks & Recreation community centers will operate on modified schedules Tuesday. Crump Shiloh and Avery Montford centers will offer indoor activities for children and teens from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Burton Street and Murphy-Oakley centers will remain closed, while all other centers will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Regular programs, including afterschool activities and all sports leagues, are canceled.
Buncombe County
Buncombe County officials announced the local state of emergency will end at 6 p.m. Monday. County government offices, libraries and parks will resume operations at noon Tuesday, while the landfill and transfer station will reopen at 8 a.m. because of high demand. FCC Environmental is operating on a one-day collection delay, though icy road conditions may continue to impact service.
“I can’t thank our community enough for taking this storm seriously,” County Manager Avril Pinder said. “Because you heeded the warnings and stayed safe at home, our emergency responders were able to help those who needed it.”
Community shelters at Reuter Family YMCA and Erwin High School were scheduled to demobilize at 4 p.m. Monday. Shelter clients wishing to remain indoors were to be transported to Hearts With Hands in Swannanoa, which will remain open until noon Wednesday.
Mountain Mobility is expected to operate on a normal schedule Tuesday, though riders were encouraged to check for updates in case overnight road conditions affect service. The Buncombe County Courthouse will also operate on a regular schedule Tuesday.
Officials warned that extreme cold could continue to create icy conditions and urged residents to check the state’s travel information website for the latest road updates.
Henderson County
In Hendersonville, city government offices and facilities will remain closed Tuesday because of continued travel impacts from the storm, City Manager John Connet announced. Garbage, recycling and brush collection will be delayed by one week, resuming Feb. 3. The city remains under a state of emergency that includes a dusk-to-dawn curfew.
Shelter information is available through Henderson County, and a warming station is open Monday at Hands On! Children’s Museum in downtown Hendersonville.
Because of ongoing weather conditions, Henderson County non-emergency government offices — including Solid Waste, Animal Services and the Henderson County Public Library — will be closed Tuesday, though emergency services will continue without interruption. Officials urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel because of hazardous road conditions.
