Full Notification

McDowell County Emergency Operations Center Urges Residents to Complete Final Preparations Ahead of Winter Storm

The McDowell County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is urging residents to complete final storm preparations as an ice storm is expected to impact the county beginning Saturday afternoon and continuing through Monday morning. Forecasts indicate freezing rain and sleet that could lead to hazardous travel conditions, downed trees, and widespread power outages.

Residents are strongly encouraged to prepare now by ensuring they have at least a three-day supply of food, water, medications, and other essential items. Those who rely on electrically powered medical equipment should make contingency plans in the event of prolonged outages. Additional information regarding emergency shelters that will open prior to the storm will be released later today. Residents are encouraged to monitor official county communication channels for updates.

Brutally cold temperatures are expected to follow the storm, increasing the risk of hypothermia and complicating response and recovery efforts. The current low temperature forecast for Monday night in Marion is 2 degrees.  The public is urged to limit travel during the storm, check on neighbors—especially the elderly—and stay informed by signing up for NIXLE emergency alerts. 

Generator Safety Reminder:
Residents using generators during power outages are reminded to operate them safely. Generators should only be used outdoors, at least 20 feet away from homes, and never inside homes, garages, or near windows or doors due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Ensure carbon monoxide detectors are working properly, allow generators to cool before refueling, and never connect a generator directly to a home’s electrical system unless it has been properly installed by a licensed electrician.

Pet Safety Reminder:
Residents are reminded to bring pets indoors during the storm and extreme cold. Ensure pets have adequate food, water, and any necessary medications, and provide warm, dry shelter away from wind and freezing temperatures. Limit pets’ time outdoors, protect their paws from ice and chemicals, and never leave animals unattended in cold conditions.

There are several ways to receive emergency alerts in McDowell County:

Public Safety App
Download the free app to receive:
• Emergency alerts
• Non-emergency updates
• Helene recovery info

NIXLE Email Alerts
Sign up to get:
• Emergency alerts
• Non-emergency updates
• Helene recovery info

NIXLE Text Alerts
Text 28752 to 888777 to receive emergency texts only.
Choose the method that works best for you or use all three to make sure you never miss an update.