ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Hospitals remain open across Buncombe County as Winter Storm Fern continues to impact Western North Carolina, though hazardous road conditions, refreezing overnight and widespread closures are expected to disrupt travel and services into Monday.
AdventHealth officials said all AdventHealth hospitals are fully operational, including emergency departments, inpatient services and labor and delivery at The Baby Place. However, some outpatient services are affected. AdventHealth Medical Group offices will be closed Monday, with the exception of AdventHealth Medical Multispecialty at Graham County. AdventHealth Centra Care Arden on Airport Road will also be closed through Monday.
To help maintain access to care, AdventHealth is offering free virtual visits to community members. Appointments are available through AdventHealthHVL.com or the AdventHealth app using the code word “community.”
Mission Health also remains open but with visitor restrictions. Officials said clinic hours may be affected, and patients with upcoming appointments are encouraged to contact their clinic directly if they have not received updates.
City of Asheville officials warned that road conditions are expected to deteriorate again overnight as temperatures drop, causing melted snow and ice to refreeze. Drivers are urged to delay travel if possible and use extreme caution during the Monday morning commute, particularly on bridges, sidewalks and untreated roads.
All city of Asheville government offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 26, including city buildings, meetings and programs. The Development Services online portal will remain available.
Free parking in all city-owned parking garages has been extended through Monday, Jan. 26, to allow snow removal and road treatment crews to operate more efficiently.
ART Transit service is expected to resume at 1 p.m. Monday if road conditions allow. Officials said riders should expect detours and route cancellations where roads remain impassable. Updates will be shared through iRide alerts.
Sanitation services in Asheville will be suspended Monday because of the closure of the county landfill and transfer stations. Trash and recycling collection will resume as conditions allow. All Parks & Recreation community centers will remain closed, and scheduled basketball games and inclement weather childcare have been canceled.
The town of Black Mountain also announced the cancellation of sanitation collection for Monday, Jan. 26, including trash and recycling. Residents on Monday’s route are asked to hold materials until the next scheduled pickup on Feb. 2. Additional service adjustments will be announced day by day.
Buncombe County officials said storm shelters are currently serving about 60 people and will remain open throughout the storm’s impacts. Shelters are operating at Hearts With Hands in Swannanoa, Erwin High School’s gym in northwest Buncombe, and the Reuter Family YMCA in south Buncombe. Code Purple shelters are also open for unhoused residents.
Buncombe County administrative offices, parks, libraries, the landfill and transfer stations will be closed Monday. The One Buncombe Call Center will also be closed. Residents needing non-emergency assistance can call the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 828-250-6650. Emergencies should be reported by calling or texting 911.
FCC Environmental said trash and recycling service will begin the week with a one-day delay, with additional adjustments possible depending on road conditions.
