ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The city of Asheville is preparing for winter weather expected this weekend, activating its Emergency Operations Plan and taking steps to maintain public safety, continue critical services and respond to weather-related impacts.
Parking restrictions and garage openings
City officials are asking residents to avoid parking on streets after 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, to allow snow plows and treatment vehicles to clear roads. City-owned parking garages will be open free of charge starting at 10 a.m. Friday and will resume charging at 10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1. Vehicles already in garages before 10 a.m. Friday will be able to exit free. Residents are urged to park on the same side of the street if off-street parking is unavailable.
Real-time parking updates are available here.
Transit service changes
All Asheville Rides Transit (ART) bus service will end at 5 p.m. Friday. Last runs begin at 3 p.m. Roads will be evaluated overnight, and Saturday service updates will be posted online.
Parks and recreation closures
All Asheville Parks & Recreation community centers will close at 4:30 p.m. Friday and remain closed through Sunday, Feb. 1. All programming, including afterschool activities and scheduled basketball games, is canceled. Residents are strongly cautioned to avoid parks during extreme weather. Those who must travel through parks or greenways should follow winter safety guidelines.
Cold weather shelters
The Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care has activated Code Purple through Friday night, Jan. 30, and expects to continue operations through the weekend. Code Purple shelters provide emergency overflow beds with fewer requirements than standard programs. Winter shelters are available nightly during the winter season, and Code Purple shelters are activated in response to extreme weather or emergencies. Coordinators can be reached at 828-785-4855.
The Asheville Fire Department’s REST team will also be staffed 24/7 to assist unhoused individuals through the weekend. More information is available on the city’s cold weather emergency shelter page.