01/31/2026
🚨 STAY HOME 🚨
A State of Emergency has been put in place for our area, so please stay home and shelter in place. Due to extreme weather and road conditions, emergency response may be delayed.
Be prepared. Stay home. Stay safe.
Craven County Declares State of Emergency
Craven County Board of Commissioners Chairman Denny Bucher has declared a State of Emergency for Craven County effective at 5 PM on Friday, January 30, 2026 in advance of the anticipated significant winter weather event. The State of Emergency will remain in effect until further notice.
The National Weather Service continues to predict extreme cold, hazardous wind gusts, and up to 12 inches or more of snow accumulation. Driving conditions will be extremely dangerous Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning as snow will rapidly accumulate and wind will affect visibility. Extreme cold temperatures will be present for an extended period into the next week.
“I encourage all citizens to remain vigilant. Please heed all advice from local authorities, and stay home during this event so our first responders and critical personnel can do their work,” said Dennis Bucher, Craven County Board of Commissioners Chairman.
County Services:
• Trash & Recycling - Craven County Solid Waste Convenience Centers will be open on Saturday, January 31, from 7 AM until 11 AM. This may change on short notice. Additional notice will be provided later in the weekend related to curbside trash and recycling pickups next week.
• Parks & Recreation Facilities – All Craven County parks, programs, and facilities will be closed on Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1.
• Offices & Services – Updates will be issued later in the weekend related to general county services.
• Emergency Services – Essential services, such as law enforcement and first responders, will remain operational. Call 911 if you need emergency assistance.
Residents should:
• Avoid travel and shelter in place during this event. Roadway conditions will deteriorate early Saturday and throughout the weekend. Staying off the roads allows first responders, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and other critical personnel to work more safely to clear roads and respond to emergencies.
• Have a plan to stay warm should you lose power. Finalize plans before Friday night.
• With an extended period of cold temperatures, some bodies of water will form a thin layer of ice. Please stay off the ice, and ensure your pets and children remain off the ice, as it will be unable to support any weight.
• Stock up on food, water, and essential supplies for several days, as the roads may remain hazardous for an extended period due to cold temperatures.
• Check your disaster kit.
• Prepare for frozen water pipes. Wrap exposed pipes with insulation or other available materials, such as towels. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow heat to circulate. Continuously drip water through faucets. If pipes freeze, a hair dryer can be used to thaw them.
• Check in on family and neighbors and bring pets indoors.
Be Prepared
For additional winter weather preparedness resources, visit:
• Road Conditions: https://drivenc.gov/
• National Weather Service weather safety: https://www.weather.gov/safety/
• North Carolina Department of Public Safety preparedness: https://www.readync.gov/
• FEMA’s Winter preparedness page: https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather
Stay Informed
• Stay updated by viewing Craven County’s page (https://www.facebook.com/cravencounty/), X page (https://x.com/cravencountync), and website (https://www.cravencountync.gov/).
• Register for emergency notifications via text, email, and phone calls through the CodeRed Emergency Notification System, visit https://accountportal.onsolve.net/cravencountync
Craven County Government is continuing to monitor the situation and will provide additional updates as they become available.
View the official State of Emergency here:
https://www.cravencountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17653/Release2_WinterStorm-1302026--State-of-Emergency
