ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — As winter weather swept across Western North Carolina, residents turned to social media not just to report outages, but to check on neighbors, friends and strangers — creating a real-time map of who had power, water and safe roads, and who did not.
From Asheville to Hendersonville, Waynesville to Mars Hill, dozens of people posted updates Sunday and Monday morning as snow, ice and high winds continued to affect the region. Many reports reflected relative stability, while others highlighted lingering vulnerabilities, particularly for households relying on well water.
In much of Asheville, West Asheville, North Asheville and surrounding communities, including Candler, Woodfin, Arden and Weaverville, residents reported continued access to power and water on Monday. Several noted windy conditions, light snow or flurries, and icy or untreated side roads, even where main roads remained passable.
“I have power and water in West Asheville,” one resident wrote, while another in East Asheville reported strong winds but safe roads during a morning commute downtown.
Elsewhere, conditions were more uneven. In Hendersonville and Mills River, residents on wells reported losing power and water. South of Black Mountain, one household said it had been operating on generator power since late Sunday night. Another Henderson County resident described flickering power, fallen trees and unstable power lines nearby.
Across the region, commenters shared road conditions ranging from “pretty clear with a few icy spots” in Fairview to “solid ice” on neighborhood streets in West Asheville. Several people asked for updates on whether major roads such as Patton Avenue, Haywood Road and areas near Johnston School had been treated.
Snowfall varied widely, with some communities reporting only flurries while others saw steady snow after a day of cold rain. Temperatures remained cold, with residents noting overnight lows in the teens and taking precautions such as dripping faucets to prevent frozen pipes.
Despite the lingering winter hazards, many posts carried a reassuring tone, underscored by expressions of gratitude and concern for others.
“Just gotta make it through these high winds today,” one mountain resident wrote.
As winter conditions persist, officials continue to urge residents to use caution on the roads and to check on neighbors, particularly those without power, heat or water.