The City of Sanford and North Carolina Department of Transportation are preparing for a large winter storm expected to hit the western and central parts of North Carolina on Sunday. For Sanford, the forecast is calling for snow that transitions into freezing rain, bringing a “potentially significant event that could lead to power outages for large percentage of residents,” according to a city press release.
The state has deployed trucks to brine major highways and important roads like Horner Boulevard. Crews have also been prepped their trucks with chainsaws and other tools to help downed trees from the expected ice. In Sanford, snow plows have been readied with new blades, and backhoes have been prepped to help removing trees.
According to the press release, the city will only plow city-owned and maintained streets that have greater than an inch of snow or ice. Otherwise, a mixture of salt and sand will be used to treat other roads.

More to know in preparation for Sunday’s storm:
- Lee County urges residents to enroll in CodeRED, an electronic emergency notification system that enables local public safety personnel to notify residents and businesses of emergencies that may require action. Alerts come via telephone, text message, and email. There is no cost to register to receive CodeRED alerts. Register here: http://www.onsolve.com
- Duke Energy customers: Report outages and see current outages at www.duke-energy.com/outages or text OUT to 57801. Access Duke Energy’s storm preparation guidance at https://www.duke-energy.com/safety-and-preparedness/storm-safety. Follow them on social media at www.facebook.com/duke.energy.
- Central Electric customers: Report outages at (877) 766-6769 or text “PWR” to (800) 446-7752. Access Central Electric’s storm preparation guidance at https://cemcpower.com/outage-center/7/. Follow them on social media at www.facebook.com/cemcpower.
- For emergency information from the city during and after the storm, sign up for emergency alerts at www.sanfordnc.net and or follow the city on Facebook www.facebook.com/sanfordnc for updates. Also follow Lee County on social media at www.facebook.com/leecountync.
Photo: Courtesy of Dallas Brogden, from 2018 snow storm in Sanford