Town of Cary, NC

01/31/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/31/2026 08:00

Netting an A+ for Preparedness, Cary 311 Activates Phones as Snowfall Timing Shifts

  • Cary 311 is accepting phone calls now until 6 p.m. as the community braces for snow in our area.

  • Cary's Emergency Operations Center activated this morning at 8 a.m., and the A+Team is ready to plow and treat roads once snowfall reaches one inch.

  • Follow Cary on social media @caryncgov for the latest updates or visit carync.gov.

Cary, NC - In ongoing preparation for moderate snow accumulation, Cary 311 is opening its phones Saturday to serve citizens from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cary 311 is the easy way to make a non-emergency request for service or have general questions answered. It operates as a direct connection to Town Hall to access any department, and during inclement weather, it is the spot for reporting slick spots or downed trees so as to reserve 911 for imminent threats to life and property. This service is offered in over 50 different languages.

To connect with Cary 311 :

  • Phone: Dial 311 or (919) 469-4000 if outside of Cary

  • Social: #Cary311 or direct message on @caryncgov social media accounts

  • Text: Send your questions to 898311

While phones are open today from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., citizens can email, go online, and contact Cary via SMS and social media anytime. Cary 311 phone lines are typically operational weekdays from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

"The weather may be delayed, but the forecast is showing it won't be a dud," said Fire Chief and Emergency Operations Manager Michael Cooper. "Safety is paramount, and there's still time to prepare. Limit unnecessary travel as conditions may change quickly later this afternoon and we don't want you caught on the road when it starts. Until then, give us a call. We're standing by to assist the community through this storm."

Preparation for this weekend's snowfall started as early as Wednesday, when crews began brining Cary's streets. Cary opened Snow Command at 6 p.m. Friday and will operate with a 24-hour response through the duration of the event. Cary's Emergency Operations Center moved to full activation starting at 8 a.m. this morning. To battle this winter storm, Cary is replenished and has 2,000 tons of salt, 400 tons of salt/sand mix, and over 400 staff members ready to respond throughout all operational departments.

Based on the current forecast, the following Cary services are impacted for Saturday, January 31:

  • All staffed facilities, including the Citizen's Convenience Center, are closed.

  • All programming is canceled.

  • No GoCary fixed route or door-to-door services.

Take time now to ensure you're ready for adverse winter weather:

  • Stock up now on shelf-stable food essentials, toiletries, and pet supplies to last you and your household up to five days.

  • Be proactive and locate your water shutoff valve to help protect your home in the event of frozen/broken pipes. Open cabinets beneath the kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow warmer air to circulate around pipes, and drip your faucets slowly if you feel your pipes may still freeze.

  • Stay indoors during severe weather. Do not park on the streets so that Town equipment can service the area.

  • If you must venture out, do not pass plow trucks while they are actively plowing.

  • Watch for signs of frostbite-loss of feeling and a white or pale look of fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. Watch for signs of hypothermia-uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and visible exhaustion.

  • Be neighborly and check on neighbors to ensure everyone is OK.

  • Avoid walking on and sledding near frozen bodies of water - ice may be unstable and can break without warning, posing a serious risk of injury or drowning.

  • Without power, temperatures indoors can drop quickly. Know how to stay warm. Use generators outdoors only, far away from windows; never use grills, ovens, or candles for heat; close off unused rooms to help manage heat, and dress in layers.

  • Power outages are possible with this storm. Charge portable power chargers now and refresh flashlights. Report power outages to Duke Energy Progress anytime at 1-800-343-3525, or Apex Electric at (919) 372-7475. If someone in your neighborhood doesn't call, your area may not be on the repair list.

  • Stay informed by signing up for ReadyWake Alerts.

Once snowfall reaches one inch, the A-Team will plow and treat roads in priority order - starting with major thoroughfares, followed by primary streets within subdivisions, then through-streets in subdivisions, and then cul-de-sacs based on the curbside collection schedule. The Town does not treat private parking lots, including those in apartment and condominium complexes, businesses, or commercial centers.

Monitor real-time road conditions using Cary's live traffic cam and live traffic map. For more winter weather preparation tips, visit carync.gov/cold, and for the most up-to-date information, follow Cary on our social media channels.

The Town's next weather release will be at 9 p.m. Saturday unless changing conditions warrant earlier action.

Primary Contacts

If you have specific questions, visit carync.gov/311, dial 311 anywhere in Cary, (919) 469-4000 outside Town limits, or email [email protected].

Resources

Town of Cary, NC published this content on January 31, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 31, 2026 at 14:00 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]