Thursday, October 1, 2026
®
The World's Local News Source®
Cherryville, NC (WNN) - As the majority of the United States prepares for the upcoming Winter Storm Fern, make sure you and your family are ready for the inclement weather. In NC, we are expecting a heavy ice storm beginning this afternoon. The Ice Storm Warning for this area is localized to a rectangular area from Black to Beech Mountain and from Whitney to Clemmons. The ice sheet will likely snap tree limbs and power lines from the weight, much like a hurricane. Public officials urge citizens to stay home and off the roads until conditions improve.
The winter storm is set to move into the Cherryville/Piedmont area around 6 pm on Saturday, January 24. We'll start with mostly sleet in the evening. Starting around 9 pm, freezing rain is expected to develop, creating slick conditions. Temperatures will drop into the lower 20s and are expected to remain there through Sunday, allowing ice to accumulate and persist.
Looking ahead into next week and through Wednesday, expect the temps to drop even lower, nearing single digits. This means any ice that melts during the day due to the sun will refreeze at night, creating black ice known as a flash freeze.
It is essential to stay warm over the next few days, and if you cannot do so safely at home, check local government pages for information on warming centers and emergency services. In Gaston County, a warming center for the county's unhoused population is being hosted at Unity Baptist Church, 482 N. Myrtle School Road, in Gastonia. This is currently open and will remain open until at least 7 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
There will also be an emergency shelter center open at the citizen resource center at 1303 W. Dallas-Cherryville Highway, starting at 3 p.m. today, January 24, 2026. This shelter will have cots, blankets, basic hygiene products, and towels. Cats and dogs can also be brought to the shelter, but will be housed separately and cared for by Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement. Gaston County Emergency Medical Services recommends that those on oxygen bring their own containers, but they can provide oxygen if necessary. Cherryville residents may call (704) 435-1717 or (704) 435-1730 for help with transportation to a shelter.
If you lose power during this winter storm, you'll need to stay safe by using heating appliances properly. Indoor space heaters must be used with caution. These must be used on a flat surface, kept at least 3 feet away from flammable objects such as cloth and curtains, and kept in ventilated areas. If possible, it is best to use them with a carbon monoxide detector nearby. Otherwise, be sure to use heaters meant for this, as propane grills are dangerous if brought indoors. Another potential carbon monoxide hazard is the use of generators indoors. This should never be done in your home or garage, as it can result in carbon monoxide poisoning.
Also, it is a good idea to have an emergency kit ready. This includes at least one gallon of water per person and pet. Power banks and radios to help stay connected, along with the proper chargers to connect to the power banks. Batteries and flashlights should also be kept ready.
Perishable foods can be taken outside and placed in a cooler to keep them from spoiling during the storm. Also, make sure to have a week's worth of medicine ready, as stores are likely to be closed during the weather event. Lastly, make sure you have enough blankets and clothing on hand to keep you warm throughout the event.
If your home loses power because the meter base or riser is pulled off the house, many people think it is the responsibility of your electrical service to fix it. In most cases, this is not the case, and it will require an electrician to fix it. You can read more about this in our article here.
For further WNN articles and news stories, visit https://wisenewsnetwork.com
For more WNN video news stories, visit YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wisenewsnetwork
Contact WNN at newsdesk@wisenewsnetwork.com
North Carolina Press Association Member
©️Copyright 2026 Wise News Network. All rights reserved.
