IFN staff

Iredell County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bert Connolly signed a State of Emergency Declaration on Friday due to the anticipated impact of snow and excessive ice caused by Winter Storm Fern.

“I have determined that there is an imminent threat of, or existing conditions have caused or will cause, widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property, and public safety authorities will be unable to maintain public order or afford adequate protection for lives or property,” Chairman Connolly explained in the emergency declaration.

The National Weather Service office in Greenville, S.C., is predicting the region will receive up to three inches of snow as well as sleet and ice accumulations between four-tenths of an inch and one inch between Saturday afternoon and Monday morning. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

According to the National Weather Service, significant ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause widespread and long-lasting power outages. Ice and sleet-covered roadways will become treacherous and impassable. 

The emergency declaration includes all unincorporated areas of Iredell County, as well as the Town of Harmony and Town of Love Valley.

The declaration, which took effect at 5 p.m. Friday, does not impose any restrictions or prohibitions on the general public.

However, it does require all Iredell County law enforcement officers and employees and all other emergency management personnel subject to county control to cooperate in the enforcement and implementation of the provisions of this Declaration, all applicable local ordinances, state and federal laws, and the Iredell County Emergency Operations Plan. The declaration shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded.

” I hope all citizens take this seriously, prepare, look after your neighbors, and please stay off the roads once they get bad so we don’t jeopardize safety of anyone and keep our first responders safe,” Chairman Connolly said Friday evening.