Full Notification

The National Weather Service has issued an Ice Storm Warning for McDowell County beginning 1:00 PM Saturday through 1:00PM Monday. The current forecast calls for damaging amounts of freezing rain and sleet, which will lead to hazardous travel conditions and widespread power outages.

We urge you and your family to complete final storm preparations today. At a minimum, ensure you have a three-day supply of nonperishable food, water, and necessary medications.

Once the storm passes on Monday, very cold temperatures are expected to follow. Current forecasts indicate a low temperature of 3 degrees Monday night.

Due to the hazardous conditions anticipated, a State of Emergency has been declared for McDowell County including the City of Marion and the Town of Old Fort .  The State of Emergency will go into effect at 12:00 p.m. today. This declaration allows for the activation of mutual aid agreements and the county’s Emergency Operations Plan.

McDowell County Emergency Services will open two emergency shelters beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 24th:

• General Population Shelter
  Glenwood Baptist Church
  155 Glenwood Baptist Church Road, Marion
  (Adults, children, and small pets welcome)
• Special Needs Medical Shelter
  McDowell County Senior Center
  100 Spaulding Road, Marion
  (For individuals dependent on critical medical equipment such as oxygen, ventilators, CPAP machines, and similar devices. Family members are permitted to stay with their loved ones in the Special Needs Shelter)

Both shelters are equipped with emergency generators.

Residents who need transportation to an emergency shelter prior to the storm’s arrival should call 828-559-0744 to request assistance.  Transit vans will not run once the winter precipitation begins. Again the emergency shelters will open on Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m.

The Emergency Operations Center will remain activated throughout the storm. Residents with questions may call the Winter Storm Hotline at 828-652-3241. The EOC and all our partner agencies are ready and prepared for this storm.

Thank you in advance for preparing.  We know our community has been through so much since Hurricane Helene.  The EOC is ready and will be with you before, during, and after the storm. With kindness, preparation, and the spirit of assisting others we will all get through this event together – as One Team with One Mission.  Thank you and please stay safe.