WNC -- January 23, 2026: With an Ice Storm Warning in effect and significant accumulations expected to disrupt travel and power, emergency officials across Western North Carolina have activated several shelters and warming centers. Residents are urged to finalize their preparations before conditions deteriorate on Saturday morning.
Buncombe County and Asheville
Buncombe County has declared a local State of Emergency. In addition to general population shelters, specialized Code Purple sites are opening to support the unhoused community.
General Population Shelters Opening Saturday, Jan. 24, at 9:00 AM in coordination with the Red Cross. These sites are equipped with generators:
Erwin High School Gymnasium: 232-264 Lees Creek Rd, Asheville
Reuter YMCA: 3 Town Square Blvd, Asheville
Hearts With Hands: 850 Warren Wilson Rd, Swannanoa
Code Purple and Nightly Winter Shelters These shelters offer entry from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday and Saturday. No sobriety or ID is required.
Women: Safe Shelter at 27 Balm Grove (Transit: W1, W2, W6)
ABCCM Transformation Village: 30 Olin Haven Way (Transit: W2) – Children also accepted.
Men: Safe Shelter at 91 New Leicester Hwy (Transit: WE1 West)
Salvation Army: 204 Haywood St (Transit: W5, WE1, WE2)
Couples and People with Pets: Homeward Bound - AHOPE: 19 N. Ann St (Transit: W5, WE1, WE2)
Haywood County
Emergency management has issued a Winter Storm Watch through Monday. Because the forecast has trended toward heavy ice and sleet, officials are warning that power could be out for several days in some areas.
Current Emergency Shelters
Haywood Pathways Center (Cold Grace Shelter): Open. They implement the Cold Grace program whenever temperatures are below 32°F. Located at 179 Hemlock St, Waynesville. Sobriety is not a requirement, though safety rules apply. They also offer a hot to-go meal nightly at 6:30 PM at the dining hall doors.
Helping Hands of Haywood: Active. Providing emergency shelter and outreach for those in crisis. Call 828-508-3420 for immediate assistance or placement.
Emergency Contacts
Emergency Call Center: 828-356-2020 (Direct line for storm info)
Ready Haywood Alerts: Text your zip code to 888777
Duke Energy Outages: Text OUT to 57801 or call 800-419-6356
Haywood EMC Outages: Call 800-951-6088
McDowell and Rutherford Counties
These locations will open Saturday, Jan. 24, to provide warmth and medical power support.
McDowell County (Opening at 8:00 AM)
General Public Shelter: Glenwood Baptist Church (155 Glenwood Baptist Church Rd, Marion). Adults, children, and small pets welcome.
Medical Shelter: McDowell County Senior Center (100 Spaulding Rd, Marion). Specifically for those dependent on medical equipment like oxygen or CPAP machines.
Rutherford County (Opening at Noon)
General Public Shelter: Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School (286 Learning Way Dr, Forest City).
Medical Shelter: Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church (252 N. Washington St, Rutherfordton). Reserved for individuals requiring power for essential medical treatments.
Regional Shelter and Resource Updates
Henderson County The Salvation Army of Hendersonville (239 3rd Ave E) often serves as the primary warming station. For status updates, call Henderson County Emergency Management at 828-697-4728.
Jackson County A shelter is typically established at the Jackson County Senior Center (100 County Services Park, Sylva). Call 828-586-7508 for confirmation.
Madison County The Madison County Public Library Marshall Branch (1335 N. Main St.) is a primary daytime warming center. Report power outages to French Broad Electric at 828-649-2051.
Polk County The designated primary shelter is Polk County High School (1681 NC-108, Columbus). Contact Emergency Management at 828-894-3524.
Transylvania County SAFE, Inc. of Transylvania County (515 N Broad St, Brevard) is active. For county alerts, text TRANSYLVANIAnc to 888777.
Yancey and Mitchell Counties Mitchell County designates the old Bowman Middle School in Bakersville (828-688-2139), while Yancey County utilizes the Burnsville Town Center (828-682-1883).
Swain and Graham Counties In Swain County, call Dispatch at 828-488-2196 for warming station info. In Graham County, contact Emergency Management at 828-479-7967.
What to Bring to a Shelter
If you are heading to a general population shelter, please bring:
Bedding: Pillows, blankets, or sleeping bags.
Health: All necessary medications and a basic first aid kit.
Personal: Change of clothes and toiletries.
Comfort: For children, bring a favorite toy
Update: Due to the forecasted impacts of Winter Storm Fern, including hazardous winter precipitation, strong winds, and dangerously cold temperatures, Haywood County has declared a local State of Emergency, effective 3:00 p.m. today, January 23, 2026.
This declaration applies countywide, including the towns of Waynesville, Clyde, Canton, and Maggie Valley, and allows emergency officials to take necessary actions to protect public health and safety.
Residents are urged to:
Avoid non-essential travel
Monitor weather and road conditions closely
Prepare for possible power outages Follow instructions from local officials and emergency responders Please stay safe and look out for one another as this storm moves through our area.
WNCTimes