Cancellations are the order of the day after a snowstorm left up to 10 inches of the white stuff on Randolph County.
Snow totals across the area
Unofficial reports show snowfalls ranging from 4-10 inches. Denton and Troy had a little more than 4 inches while Westmoore is said to have had 7 inches and Moore County as a whole experienced up to 10 inches of snow.
In Randolph County, Level Cross appeared to get the most snow with about 10 inches. Archdale, Randleman and Seagrove/Erect reported 8 inches and Asheboro had about 7 inches. Totals may vary from neighborhood to neighborhood.
Traffic quieter Thursday
Traffic accidents seem to drop considerably on Thursday as many stayed home from work or school. As the sun melted some of the snow off roadways, law enforcement officers were warning drivers that refreezing overnight could leave surfaces dangerous.
An accident Wednesday on I-73 north of the Level Cross exit involved a tractor-trailer, a road scraper, a pickup truck and a passenger vehicle, according to Trooper S.D. Vaughn of the N.C. Highway Patrol. He said the pickup truck and the road scraper were in the right southbound lane and a Jeep Grand Cherokee was in the left lane. The three vehicles were all stopped while another vehicle was being moved from the median.
A tractor-trailer coming up from behind the other three vehicles was unable to stop, jack-knifed and hit the road scraper, damaging the side of the trailer. The road scraper then hit the other two vehicles.
Vaughn said there were no injuries.
Moore County roads
Freezing temperatures have made Moore County roads treacherous and conditions were not expected to improve, especially at night when refreezing occurs. According to the Moore County Sheriff’s Office, road surfaces are icy, making driving on ice chunks similar to driving over rocks. Primary roads are slick, secondary and tertiary roads almost impassable without 4-wheel drive.
Northbound U.S. 1 coming into Pinebluff is currently closed due to semi-trucks being unable to negotiate the slope.
Citizens are reminded that if they don’t have to be on the road to please remain at home.
Chamber awards banquet still a ‘go’
Although there have been a number of cancellations, the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce plans to go forward with its annual awards banquet Friday at Pinewood Country Club. Social time will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the dinner and program will start at 7 p.m.
Awards will be presented for Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, the Emerging Leader, the Athena Award and honors for the small, medium and large Businesses of the Year.
Cancellations and schedule changes
* The City of Asheboro reported that changes caused by continued cold temperatures and slick roads will require the city to again revise its sanitation collection schedule. Pickups that normally occur on Tuesdays will now be made on Saturday. There will be no recycling pickups this week.
* Friday Night Bluegrass at the Sunset Theatre has been canceled.
* The Randolph County School System reports that there will be no school Friday. It’s an optional teacher workday.
* Asheboro City Schools will be closed on Friday with an optional teacher workday. Monday, Jan. 22, and Tuesday, Jan. 23, will be regular school days.
* Uwharrie Charter Academy will be closed for students and staff on Friday.
* Randolph Community College will be closed Friday.
* The Providence Grove High School entrepreneurship class’ Joy Ride event, originally planned for Saturday, Jan. 20, has been postponed until Saturday, Jan. 27. The event, a fundraiser for Hospice of Randolph County in conjunction with its 35th anniversary, will begin with check-in at 9 a.m. at Randolph Mall.
* The GWCCEC Preliminary Oratorical Contest has been postponed to next Thursday, Jan. 25, at Sunset Theatre at 6 p.m. The date for the final competition will be announced once it is rescheduled. For more information, contact Vanessa Brooks at vbrooks@asheboro.k12.nc.us.
* The Moore County Sheriff’s Office reported that the Moore County Courthouse will open at 10 a.m. on Friday. Traffic Court will start at 10:30 a.m., Family Court will start at 11 a.m. and Superior Court will start at 11:30 a.m.
Randolph Electric outages
Randolph Electric Membership Corporation reported Thursday morning that there remained small scattered outages affecting just under 100 members. Weather-related outages began increasing around 1 p.m. on Jan. 17. Randolph EMC crews, along with contract and neighboring co-op crews, worked overnight repairing lines damaged from fallen trees and tree limbs weighed down by heavy snow, with most outages restored by midnight. Crews have responded to a few other small outages since then, and remain on alert to quickly respond to additional calls.
At the height of the storm, REMC experienced about 46 outages affecting approximately 930 members. Randolph Electric is grateful for the assistance received from contract crews and neighboring cooperatives, which helped aid in quick restoration. Some of the additional contract crews will travel to assist sister cooperatives in need.
“Randolph EMC has been fortunate that the outages reported throughout yesterday and overnight were not major events,” said Dale Lambert, chief executive officer. “As thawing occurs, tree limbs can move and cause additional issues for the distribution system. We may continue to see some scattered outages as the snow melts, and want our members to know that we are still on alert and ready to respond if they need us.”
The cooperative urges members to remember that safety is top priority. If an individual encounters a downed power line, he or she should stay well away from affected areas. Never approach power lines that are low or on the ground, as they could be energized.
Members who receive electric service from Randolph EMC should report downed lines and outages by calling 1-877-REMC-OFF (1-877-736-2633). For updates on power outages, visit REMC’s online Outage Map at www.RandolphEMC.com. The cooperative also posts status reports and safety information on its Facebook and Twitter pages.