City prepares for second winter storm; Residents urged to remove vehicles from streets for plowing

With a second winter storm expected this weekend, City of Hickory Street crews are applying brine to roadways today to help prevent snow from sticking and improve plowing effectiveness.

Brining streets in advance helps reduce icing and keeps roads safer when temperatures drop. During the storm, crews will apply salt and sand to bridges and major thoroughfares first, followed by plowing once snow accumulation exceeds two inches.

Important Reminder: Remove Vehicles from Streets

Residents are strongly urged to remove vehicles from on-street parking before the storm begins. Parked cars block plows and prevent entire streets from being treated. One vehicle can stop an entire neighborhood from being cleared. Please do your part to help crews keep roads safe and avoid damage to your vehicle.

City crews will work around the clock to maintain essential services, but residents should stay home and avoid non-essential travel for their safety and the safety of emergency responders.

Priority Routes

During a snow event, the City is responsible for more than 750 lane miles of streets, including some NCDOT streets that the City of Hickory assists to maintain. Major thoroughfares, such as N.C. 127, Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard, Tate Boulevard, and several more are cleared first, followed by minor thoroughfares. Crews only begin to clear residential streets when priority streets have been cleared.

With temperatures expected to drop into the low teens this weekend, hazardous conditions may persist beyond the storm.

What Residents Should Do

• Stay Off the Roads: Avoid all non-essential travel once inclement weather begins. Clear roads allow emergency responders and City crews to work safely and reduce accidents.
• Prepare Your Home: Stock up on food, water, and medications for at least three days. Check flashlights and battery-powered radios in case of power outages. Take precautions to prevent frozen pipes.
• Look Out for Neighbors: Check on elderly residents and those with special needs.
• Know Who to Call: 
  • Emergencies: 911
  • Non-emergency police: 828-328-5551
  • Snow/ice removal or solid waste: 828-323-7500
  • Power outages: Report directly to your provider (Duke Energy: 800-POWERON / 800-777-9898)

Stay Informed

For the latest updates, visit www.hickorync.gov/winter-weather-updates-january-2026, follow City of Hickory, NC – Government on Facebook, and @CityofHickory on X.