Town of Wake Forest News Release
Jan. 11, 2011; 12:40 p.m.

Town Operations Altered By Ice
January 11, 2011

Parks & Recreation programs cancelled Tuesday
Jan. 11, 2011; Updated 11:58 a.m.
All Parks & Recreation programs, including basketball practices, scheduled for Tuesday have been cancelled.

Flaherty Park Community Center will be closed today.

Garbage and recycling will not be collected Tuesday
Jan. 11, 2011; 8:00 a.m.
Due to poor road conditions, the collection of garbage, recycling, and bulk waste has been suspended for Tuesday. As a result, garbage and recycling pickup will be pushed back one day for the remainder of the week.

Routes that were scheduled to be collected Tuesday will now be collected Wednesday; Wednesday collections Thursday; Thursday collections Friday, and Friday collections Saturday.

Bulk waste normally collected on Tuesday will be collected Wednesday.

Residents are encouraged to leave yard waste at the curb at the normal time and Town crews will attempt to collect it by the end of the week.

Urban Forestry Board meeting cancelled
Jan. 10, 2011; 3:42 p.m.
Due to the threat of wintry weather, tonight's Urban Forestry Board meeting has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled at a later date.

• Winter Storm Warning

Parks & Recreation Department cancels basketball practices tonight
Jan. 10, 2011; 9:30 a.m.
The Wake Forest Parks & Recreation Department has cancelled all of tonight's basketball practices at all locations. Additionally, the Flaherty Park Community Center will close tonight at 7 p.m.

Wake Forest preparing for possible wintry weather
Jan. 9, 2011; 11 a.m.
The Town of Wake Forest is preparing for the possibility of a wintry mix of snow and freezing rain Monday and Tuesday. Wake Forest has 28 tons of sand/salt mix supply available, if needed, along with an additional 175 tons of pure salt. Also, the Town has six plows available to clear Wake Forest’s 78 miles of roads.

In the event of ice or snow, Wake Forest clears thoroughfares and primary roads first. The Town does not clear private parking lots, including those in apartment and condominium complexes or at businesses.

As is always the case in severe weather events, the Town is reminding citizens to call (919) 554-6724 for storm-related, non-emergency issues, such as power outages and downed trees and power lines. Please do not call 911 unless there is an emergency posing an immediate threat to life, health, or property.

Wake Forest Power works to minimize storm impacts year-round through preventive maintenance, including trimming of trees around Wake Forest’s 70-plus miles of overhead electric distribution lines. Downed trees and limbs are the leading cause of power outages during storms.

Whenever residents encounter trees downed during storms on roads, sidewalks or other public areas, they should always contact the Town rather than trying to handle them on their own. In addition to being heavy and difficult to manage, trees and limbs often come into contact with dangerous, live electrical wires which can cause serious injury or death.

Citizens are reminded of the following tips during inclement weather:

• Do not park on streets so plows and other Town equipment can service the area.
• Again, do not attempt to deal with downed limbs or trees on a street or sidewalk on your own as they may be tangled in live power lines. Instead, call Wake Forest Power at (919) 554-6724.
• Do not call 911 unless there is an emergency posing an immediate threat to life, health, or property. All non-emergency snow calls should be placed to (919) 435-9570;
• For updates about parks, recreation, and cultural program cancellations, call the Wake Forest Weather Line at (919) 435-9569.
• Be a good neighbor. Check on your neighbors to make sure everyone is OK.
• Stay indoors during severe winter weather. If you decide to venture out - whether walking or driving - let someone know when you are leaving and where you are going, so they can contact emergency officials should you fail to reach your destination. Take a cell phone just in case.

If the power goes out:

• To report power outages: Wake Forest Power customers call (919) 554-6724; Wake Electric customers call (919) 863-6499 or (800) 743-3155; Progress Energy customers call (800) 419-6356.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Food usually stays frozen about 48 hours. A refrigerator can keep food cold for about four hours. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out.
• Do not connect a generator directly to your home's electrical system. It is dangerous to you, your neighbors and utility workers. Follow manufacturer's directions regarding connecting appliances directly to your generator.
• In any power outage, utility crews restore service as quickly as possible, starting with the largest lines and facilities serving the most people. Source: Progress Energy

In the event severe weather occurs, further updates will be issued.