Holly Springs (NC) Public Works Prepares for Prolonged Impacts as Winter Storm Approaches; Governor Stein Declares State of Emergency
Holly Springs crews shift to 24-hour operations, prioritize emergency routes, and urge residents to limit travel as winter weather threatens roads, power, and services across town.
“With this storm, preparation now can make a real difference,” state officials said. “The safest choice is to stay home, stay informed, and allow crews to do their work.”
Holly Springs, NC, Jan. 21, 2025 — State and local officials are urging residents to prepare for a potentially significant winter storm expected to impact much of central North Carolina beginning this weekend, with hazardous travel, power outages, and prolonged cold temperatures possible through early next week.
Governor Josh Stein has declared a State of Emergency, activating statewide coordination efforts as forecasts show increasing confidence in snow, sleet, and freezing rain across the region. NCDOT crews have already begun pre-treating roads and staging equipment across the state.
“Confidence is increasing in widespread snow, sleet, and freezing rain,” the National Weather Service said. “This may result in moderate to major impacts on infrastructure and transportation.”
The agency warned that road conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly, particularly on bridges and overpasses, and that ice accumulation could lead to power outages.
Holly Springs Mobilizing Ahead of Storm
At the local level, Holly Springs officials outlined their response during Monday night’s Town Council meeting. Public Works Director Paige Scott said the town will shift to full winter operations once weather impacts begin.
“During winter weather events, the town’s top priority is keeping our roads safe and passable, especially for emergency response,” Scott said. “The public works department crews move to a 24-hour operational schedule.”
Scott explained that crews operate in 12-hour shifts and deploy 12 vehicles, including snowplows and spreaders, across 10 planned routes. Roads are cleared in order of priority, beginning with major thoroughfares used by police, fire, and emergency medical services.
“We address what we call primary roads first,” Scott said. “These are major roads and thoroughfares that are used by our police, fire, and emergency response personnel.”
She added that residents should not expect every neighborhood street to be cleared immediately.
“If you hear from residents saying, ‘When will my road be plowed right in front of my house?’ odds are that’s not going to be possible,” Scott said. “We want to get emergency services in and out.”
Travel, Power, and Safety Concerns
Officials at both the state and local levels emphasized that travel should be avoided once conditions worsen. The National Weather Service urged residents to delay travel entirely if possible.
“Persons should consider delaying all travel,” the agency said. “If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution.”
State officials also warned that cold temperatures following the storm could prolong impacts for several days, with icy roads and potential power disruptions continuing into next week.
Residents are encouraged to prepare emergency kits, charge electronic devices, and avoid using generators or grills indoors. Officials also recommend checking on neighbors and bringing pets indoors during freezing conditions.
Staying Informed
Residents are encouraged to monitor official updates and weather alerts through:
ReadyNC.gov
DriveNC.gov
Town of Holly Springs communication channels
National Weather Service alerts
Solid overview of the public works response strategy. The prioritzation framework Scott described makes sense from an infrastructure standpoint - clearing all residential streets is logistically impossible during active storms. I've seen similar approaches in other municipalities and the key is always managing resident expectations upfront. The 24-hour shift model puts serious strain on crews though, especially if this drags into multiple days like the forecasts suggest.