Full Notification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
McDowell County Emergency Operations Center
Marion, NC

The McDowell County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) announces that warming stations will open across McDowell County beginning Monday to provide a safe, warm place for residents during the period of extremely cold temperatures that are forecast to follow the winter storm. Significant hazards will be present on Sunday including the risk of falling trees, utility lines, and treacherous road conditions. These hazards will bring life safety concerns for anyone outside during the ice storm.

Through the coordination of the EOC and its Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD), 12 partner organizations have worked together to establish warming stations throughout the county. These warming stations will be open daily beginning on Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., allowing citizens to come inside, warm up, and take relief from the cold.

Please note: These warming station locations do not have fixed generators and are intended for temporary, daytime use only.

Residents who require overnight sheltering should report to:

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. Remember to bring your O2 concentrators and any other medical devices necessary to support life. Family members are permitted to stay with their loved one in the Special Needs Shelter)

Residents coming to either shelter should bring essential personal items, including toiletries, and all required medications, as well as chargers and supplies needed for continued use. Both shelters are equipped with emergency generators to maintain operations during potential power outages.

McDowell County Emergency Management urges residents to check on neighbors, especially the elderly and those with medical needs, and to use available resources to stay safe during this period of dangerous cold. Additional information will be released as conditions change. For updates and emergency information, residents are encouraged to monitor official McDowell County communication channels.