Continued Winter Storm Delays, Closures Across Rutherford County

Winter Storm Fern continued to create hazardous conditions across Rutherford County, prompting delayed openings, modified schedules, and closures for several county services on Wednesday, Jan. 28, county officials said.

Kim Aldridge, administrative assistant and deputy clerk for Rutherford County Government, issued three statements by email on Tuesday, Jan. 27, outlining safety-related adjustments due to lingering ice, particularly on sidewalks and less-traveled roadways.

County convenience centers were scheduled to open later than usual at 8 a.m. Wednesday because of the potential for black ice during early morning hours. Officials urged residents to delay travel until conditions improved.

The Rutherford County Senior Center and the Ellenboro Meal Site are closed on Wednesday due to ongoing icy conditions. No home-delivered meals will be served, the statement said. County officials said many main roads were clear, but walkways remained hazardous, creating unsafe conditions for participants and delivery staff. Homebound clients were contacted to check on their well-being and address urgent needs, the statement said. Services are expected to resume once conditions improve.

The main public shelter is no longer open, Rutherford County emergency management officials said in a separate statement. The shelter is staffed by state law under the Department of Social Services, with other county employees, volunteers, and the Red Cross. The medical shelter, which merged with the public shelter to house its occupants, closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at noon, according to another statement. It is unclear how many people used them since they first opened on Jan. 24.

Rutherford County courts plan to operate on a delayed schedule, opening at 11 a.m. Wednesday because of lingering ice on roads and sidewalks. 

In a countywide service update, Aldridge said most Rutherford County offices will operate as usual. Rutherford County Transit operated on a modified schedule, opening at 10 a.m., while TriCity Xpress ran from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Officials encouraged residents to plan accordingly and use caution while traveling as cleanup and thawing continue.