Winter Weather Update – openings, closings & schedule changes

Member for

7 years 9 months
January 25, 2026
  • Community members are urged to stay home and off the roads. 
  • The emergency shelter at Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road, remains open until further notice.
  • Wake Forest Town Hall and other Town facilities, including the Wake Forest Center for Active Aging, will be closed Monday, Jan. 26.
  • Trash and recycling collection service will be suspended Monday. 
  • Go Wake Forest service will remain suspended Monday. 
  • All PRCR programs scheduled for Monday have been canceled.

WAKE FOREST, NC – Winter Storm Fern left a sheet of ice on streets and roadways throughout Wake Forest and beyond. As of 1 p.m., two single vehicle weather-related traffic mishaps have been reported.

Wake Forest Police say roads are icy and dangerous. Drivers are strongly urged to stay off the roads - unless absolutely necessary. When you venture out on the roads, you not only put yourself at risk, but you also put others in jeopardy. Then, if you are involved in an accident, police officers and first responders are at risk. You can help yourself, your neighbors, law enforcement and first responders by simply staying off the roads.

If you must venture out, slow down, avoid using cruise control, use your low-beam headlights to better see icy pavement, and give extra following distance to allow more stopping time. 

Also, before you drive, remove the ice and snow from your vehicle, particularly from the hood, windows, and roof. Ice and snow that dislodges from a moving vehicle can create hazardous driving conditions for other vehicles resulting in property damage and/or injury. 

 

Openings & Closings

  • The emergency shelter at Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road, remains open until further notice.
  • Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St., and Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St., will be closed Monday, Jan. 26. 
  • Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road, Flaherty Park Community Center, 1226 N. White St., Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St., and Wake Forest Community House, 133 W. Owen Ave., will also be closed Monday. 
  • Wake Forest Center for Active Aging, 235 E. Holding Ave., and Meals on Wheels will be closed Monday. Meals will not be delivered to home-delivered clients.
     

Schedule Changes

  • Due to icy road conditions, Republic Services (RS) will not operate on Monday, so trash and recycling collection service will be suspended. 
  • Yard waste collection will be suspended Monday.
  • Go Wake Forest service will remain suspended Monday. 
  • All PRCR programs scheduled for Monday have been canceled.
    • NOTE: The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department's inclement weather policy states that whenever inclement weather conditions force the Wake County Public School System to close schools or implement an early release, then all PRCR games and practices will be canceled at all sites. 
  • Monday's Technology Advisory Board meeting is canceled.

Officials will continue to monitor weather and road conditions and announce decisions about Tuesday’s schedule on Monday. 
 

Public Works

Wake Forest road crews are plowing the town's main roads, bridges, and hills, while also spreading sand and salt in historically icy areas. NCDOT crews and contractors are also plowing state-maintained roads. The work is scheduled to continue throughout the day.

Wake Forest crews clear thoroughfares and primary roads first. The Town does not clear private parking lots, including those in apartment and condominium complexes or at businesses.

Motorists are urged not to park on the street so plows and other Town equipment can effectively service the area.
 

Wake Forest Power

No power outages have been reported. Wake Forest Power works to minimize storm impacts year-round through preventive maintenance, including trimming of trees around Wake Forest’s 110 miles of overhead electric distribution lines. 

If you lose power

  • Wake Forest Power customers call 919-435-9478 or visit https://bit.ly/WFPowerReportOutage.
  • Wake Electric customers call 855-280-1147;
  • Duke Energy Progress customers call 800-419-6356.
     

When to call 911

Residents are reminded not to call 911 unless there is an emergency posing an immediate threat to life, health, or property. Similarly, residents should not report icy road conditions via SeeClickFix. All non-emergency calls, including reports of icy road conditions and immediate needs for service, should be placed to 919-554-6150.
 

​​​​​Attention Pedestrians 

When you're out and about, please walk along sidewalks - not in the street and roadway. During wintry weather events, police often witness pedestrians walking in the middle of the road. During wintry weather, your chances of being struck by a motorist are much greater due to poor visibility and icy road conditions. 
 

Attention Sledders

Before you sled on private property, be sure to obtain permission from the property owner first. Otherwise, you're trespassing.
 

Stay Informed

In the event severe weather occurs, the Town will issue regular updates through a variety of means. To stay informed residents can: