snOMG’26: Live Edition

SnOMG’26 is your home for updates on all the news related to this weekend’s potential winter storm. Got a news tip to share such as power outages, road conditions and more? Contact us at [email protected]

Thursday, Jan. 22

11:30 a.m. – The Town has started pretreating surface roads with brine and the two trucks will be working throughout the coming days. 

From Assistant Town Manager Tyler Beardsley:

“The forecast is calling for more ice which is much harder to treat and clear. Our current plan is to continue to put brine and salt down to help melt the ice during and after the storm.  We have the ability to plow, but based on the forecast, plows will ineffective.  We are also preparing to clear trees from roadways.  The Public Works staff is preparing for as many situations as possible. “

11:42 a.m. – Grocery stores are still well-stocked with the exception of a few items at specific stores. The meat counter at Fresh Market is getting light on red meat. The water aisle at the Peninulsa Harris Teeter is looking thin. Eggs at Publix are about three quarters gone. At Aldi, which has less stockers than most stores, the bread aisle is nearly empty.

On the east side, Food Lion was busy but all items were in stock. The Antiquity Harris Teeter was by far the busiest store in town but everything except the water aisle had relatively normal inventory.

I’m always fascinated by what people buy during a pre-storm shopping blitz. Based on inventories a lot of you are eating salad and pasta this weekend, and good luck finding pizza dough.

Also if there’s a food shortage it’s probably my fault. I think I’ve spent a months’s worth of grocery money visiting stores over the last 24 hours.

—Jon

9:46 a.m. – There has been lots of talk over the last couple of days how this storm might compare to the ice storm of 2002, which crippled the Charlotte area for weeks. WCNC’s Brad Panovich explains why this storm isn’t comparable to 2002.

6:00 a.m. – Here are some tips from the Red Cross that we shared last winter on how to prep for a storm. Our favorite: “If you feel too warm, remove layers to avoid sweating; if you feel chilled, add layers.” Second favorite:Noted, and appreciated.

Wednesday, Jan. 21 

7:30 p.m. – Does anyone remember the ice storm from 20 years ago? It was a doozy.

4:43 p.m. – New to the Lake Norman area and haven’t settled on a favorite meteorologist? WCNC’s Brad Panovich is the voice of reason and your best weather guide over the next 72 hours.

3:34 p.m. – Full-blown panic buying isn’t official underway at area grocery stores this afternoon but is expected to increase tonight and tomorrow. Fans of Tito’s will find the shelves fully stocked at the ABC store.

1:03 p.m. – The National Weather Service has issued a winter story advisory for parts of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia from Saturday through Monday afternoon.

7:31 a.m. – Town officials updated elected officials at Tuesday night’s board meeting on prepping roads ahead of the weekend.