North Carolina

Ice expected Sunday, Jan. 25, as storm moves across Western NC. Live updates

Published

1 month ago

January 25, 2026

Ice expected Sunday, Jan. 25, as storm moves across Western NC. Live updates

Millions across the United States and in North Carolina are being battered by a massive winter storm that has encased many in ice and snow.

And while Saturday, Jan. 24, had some flurries and sleet during the day, the brunt of the storm hit communities in Western North Carolina later in the evening and into the early morning hours of Sunday. Jan. 25. The ever-changing nature of the storm has many anticipating mass power outages as in the mountains and into the Foothills and Piedmont of North Carolina.

And if the winter precipitation wasn’t enough, extreme cold is nipping at the heels of this storm.

“Take this storm seriously, folks,” the National Weather Service warned in statements on social media. “The cold can be deadly.”

Dozens of groups, businesses and even schools have announced closures for Jan. 25 and into Monday, Jan. 26, due to the weather.

The National Weather Service issued an ice storm warning for Asheville and Western North Carolina starting today, Saturday, Jan. 24, at 1 p.m. through Monday, Jan. 26, at 1 p.m. Latest predictions have the storm will bring inches of snow, sleet and rain to Asheville and communities across the North Carolina mountains.

You can keep up to date with what is happening in the Asheville area and Western North Carolina below.

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Where is the storm now? North Carolin weather radar

The massive storm continues to move northeast, bringing predicted inches of snow to the Mid-Atlantic region, while continuing to dump a mix of wintry precipitation in the Carolinas.

Take a look at the radar below to see how the storm is moving on Sunday, Jan. 25.

Two day forecast: Monday, Jan. 26, forecast promises even colder weather

As we head into Sunday, Jan. 25, there is a 100% chance of precipitation in the Asheville area and a majority of Western North Carolina communities.

And it’s not going to be the fluffy white stuff.

Here’s the National Weather Service’s forecast for the next two days as of 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24.

Sunday, Jan. 24: Freezing rain before 1 p.m., then rain. Patchy fog. High near 41. Southeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New ice accumulation of a tenth to a third of an inch possible.

Sunday night, Jan. 24: Rain likely, mainly before 9 p.m. Patchy fog before midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. Northeast wind 6 to 11 mph becoming north northwest 12 to 17 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch possible.

Monday, Jan. 26: Mostly sunny, with a high near 24. Wind chill values as low as zero. Blustery, with a northwest wind 18 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Monday night, Jan. 26: Mostly clear, with a low around 3. Blustery, with a northwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph.

Trump approves Emergency Declaration for North Carolina on Saturday, Jan. 24

President Donald Trump approved Gov. Josh Stein’s request for an Emergency Declaration ahead of the winter storm, Stein said in a Jan. 24 news conference. Stein sent the request the night of Jan. 23 and received confirmation the morning of Jan. 24, according to his office.

The Emergency Declaration will enable the state to access federal assets to deploy additional generators to critical facilities like hospitals; support sheltering operations; provide emergency food, water, and fuel; and receive support from the U.S. Forest Service to remove downed trees, the Governor’s Office said in a Jan. 24 news release.

Once the weekend’s winter storm arrives, “significant and widespread power outages” are expected across the state, the release said.

According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data, approximately 99,000 of the state’s 2.2 million Medicare recipients are considered medically at risk and dependent on electricity for life-sustaining equipment.

“These power outages, coupled with impassable roads and impaired emergency communications, are likely to result in heightened exposure to cold, increased traffic-related incidents, and delayed or inaccessible emergency medical services,” the release said.

-Ryley Ober

Storm closings happening in Western NC

Closures are already occurring ahead of the brunt of this winter storm.

Buncombe County has preemptively closed all administrative offices, parks, libraries, and the landfill and transfer station for Monday, Jan. 26.

Find out about other closures below.

North Carolina under a state of emergency

The western edge of the Tar Heel State is getting its first taste of a storm that is expected to engulf much of the state in snow and ice over the weekend, Jan. 24-25. The dire forecast prompted North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein to issue a state of emergency days ahead of the storm’s arrival.

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North Carolina

Stein announces $40 million in recovery, mitigation grants for Western North Carolina

Published

8 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

Stein announces million in recovery, mitigation grants for Western North Carolina

MARION, N.C. (WTVD) — Gov. Josh Stein on Friday announced more than $24 million in mitigation grants and another $16 million for volunteer rebuilding organizations during a Western North Carolina Recovery meeting in Marion.

The funding supports longterm recovery from Hurricane Helene and is intended to help communities better withstand future natural disasters.

State officials said the mitigation grants will help local governments upgrade wastewater and water infrastructure, strengthen transportation systems, relocate facilities out of flood-prone areas, expand flood warning networks and develop shovel ready recovery projects. Nonprofit groups aiding families with home repairs and reconstruction will receive the volunteer-based grants.

“Western North Carolina is coming back strong from Hurricane Helene,” Stein said, adding that recovery requires cooperation among government, private and nonprofit partners.

North Carolina Emergency Management Director Will Ray said the grants reflect a “wholeofcommunity effort” to reduce risk and help towns rebuild stronger.

Over two dozen communities and organizations – including Conover, Hendersonville, Clyde, Marion, Black Mountain, Banner Elk and multiple county agencies – will receive funding for projects ranging from flood gauge installations to dam restoration and wastewater improvements.

WATCH | Hurricane Helene: One Year Later: WNC leans into its resilience, faith and hope

Hurricane Helene: One Year Later (1 of 26)

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North Carolina

Western NC gas prices increase, hovering around $3 a gallon amid war in Middle East

Published

20 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

Western NC gas prices increase, hovering around a gallon amid war in Middle East

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Gas prices are hitting the highest level since September 2024, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).

On Friday, March 6, western North Carolina drivers were already experiencing shock at the pump.

News 13 caught up with some drivers at a gas station in Henderson County, where the price per gallon was just a penny under $3, sitting at $2.99.

This comes as Tuesday marked the largest single-day jump at the pump since March 2022, according to ABC News, citing Gas Buddy sources.

REPORT: ASHEVILLE GAS PRICES RISE, MORE INCREASES EXPECTED AMID WAR IN MIDDLE EAST

Drivers we spoke with say they’re feeling the fuel costs climb and needless to say, they’re not too pleased.

“Here, it’s the first time I’m seeing the price that high,” said driver and Hendersonville resident Ricardo Martineati. “We don’t understand why the price is going up, but it is what it is. I hope it comes back to what it used to be pretty soon.”

MARCH 6, 2026 – A gas station in western North Carolina. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)

Part of the reason for the gas price change is that crude prices surged 35% this week as Iran threatens the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical route many oil producers use to get oil to market, ABC News reports.

Martineati knows it’s not much, but he says he’s got a strategy to save.

SEN. TED BUDD BACKS OPERATION EPIC FURY IN IRAN, WANTS TO AVOID ‘FOREVER WARS’

“Just try to slow down on the takeoff, on the coming to a stop to save some fuel, but that’s it,” Martineati said.

And with all this price pressure, he added that he’s picking a positive perspective.

“At least I’m not driving a diesel-fueled truck,” Martineati said.

While WNC hovers around $3 a gallon, depending on your location, the state is still below the national average of $3.30 a gallon, according to AAA.

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North Carolina

NC to receive nearly $70M in FEMA funds, Madsion County manager says $14M hasn’t arrived

Published

2 days ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

NC to receive nearly M in FEMA funds, Madsion County manager says M hasn’t arrived

MADISON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Senator Tedd Budd’s office announced nearly $70 million in public assistance FEMA funds for Helene recovery toward the North Carolina Department of Transportation, cities and counties.

Madison County Manager Rod Honeycutt created a color-coded spreadsheet of projects, both paid and unpaid. Honeycutt said he sends the spreadsheet to federal leaders’ offices, including Budd’s, regularly to ensure staff are aware of what’s not reimbursed.

Honeycutt estimates about $14 million in reimbursements from FEMA haven’t come through.

As for the $1.9 million just approved for Madison County’s emergency protective measures, including laborers, equipment reimbursement, Honeycutt said the county doesn’t have it yet.

NORTH CAROLINA TO RECEIVE $70M IN ADDITIONAL FEMA FUNDING AS NOEM FACES CRITICISM

“It’s coming back to our fund balance,” said Honeycutt. “And we know it will take six more weeks for it to get through the state and to the county.”

Honeycutt estimates that within six months, FEMA will resolve all reimbursements. He said debris removal jobs along the French Broad River have been delayed as FEMA continues to review the applications.

MARCH 5, 2026 – Madison County Manager Rod Honeycutt created a color-coded spreadsheet of projects, both paid and unpaid. Honeycutt said he sends the spreadsheet to federal leaders’ offices, including Budd’s, regularly to ensure staff are aware of what’s not reimbursed. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)

In Marshall, the town has leased store spaces on Main Street, along with signs advertising leasing available. But longtime resident, artist and business owner Josh Copus is optimistic that Marshall and its community will thrive once again. He acknowledged that FEMA funds and reimbursements to clean up have been an important part of the area’s recovery.

MORE THAN $3.5M HEADED TO BURKE COUNTY FOR CONTINUED HELENE RECOVERY

“I would say our town is 50% fixed and our town was 100% destroyed, so 50% is pretty good,” Copus said.

The awards include:

Biltmore Forest: $2.5 million for debris removal reimbursement.
Buncombe County Sewage District: $1.57 million reimbursement for line repairs, vacuuming, line replacements and riverbank restoration.
Old Fort: $1.15 million Westerman Street Waterline for potable water reimbursement.
Mitchell County: $11.9 million for debris contractors, tipping fees and debris monitoring reimbursement.
Buncombe County: $3.5 million toward labor costs for 836 laborers during and after Helene reimbursement.
Asheville: $5.6 million for North Fork Treatment Plant repairs reimbursement.
Lake Lure: $1.48 million for lake safety repairs reimbursement.
Madison County: $1.9 million for emergency protective measures, including laborers, equipment reimbursement.

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