Winter Weather Storm Response Info Center

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Charlotte Mecklenburg Emergency Management continues to monitor another weekend of winter weather with forecasted snow.

What's the difference between 911 and 311?

311 is a non-emergency hotline for reporting issues like city services or general information requests.
911 is an emergency hotline used for urgent, life-threatening situations requiring immediate assistance from police, fire, or medical services.

Additional city-service information is available on the city’s Winter Weather article.

311 will be open Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Below are updates from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Office of Emergency Services.

Updates

6 p.m., Sunday, Feb 1

Due to weather-related conditions, garbage, recycling, yard waste, and scheduled bulky item collection will not occur on Monday, February 2. Monday customers should place carts at the curb by 6 a.m. Tuesday. All other customers should place carts at the curb by 6 a.m. on their regular collection day and leave them out until collected.
This is a green recycling week.

To receive service alerts directly, text your normally-scheduled collection day to 73224. Learn more on the Solid Waste Services webpage.

3:45 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 1

Due to the extreme winter weather and cold temperatures, Mecklenburg County offices and services will be closed on Monday, Feb. 2. Learn more on the county's website.

3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 1

Bus and Blue Line Service will start a noon and end at midnight on Monday, Feb. 2. Express Bus and Gold Line service remain suspended. CATS Micro will operate from Noon to 6 p.m. STS services will be open and operational. Bus routes are utilizing snow routes. For updated route information, visit the CATS detours and routes page.

11 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 1

Duke Energy is urging customers to reduce energy usage overnight from 4 to 10 a.m. to help lessen the demand on the energy grid and reduce the potentials for power outages.

Power outages should be reported directly to Duke Energy by texting OUT to 57801, reporting online or calling 1-800-769-3766.

Read more about reducing energy use on the Duke Energy website.

10 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 1

CATS has suspended all service for Sunday. Teams are continuing to work through Sunday to clear station platforms, bus stops, garages, transit centers and other transit areas. More information about service plans for Monday will be shared through the CATS website on Sunday afternoon.

1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 31

Due to weather conditions, CATS will suspend bus service at 3 p.m. and Blue Line service at 5 p.m. today, Saturday, Jan. 31. Bus and Blue Line service will commence at 10 a.m. on Sunday and suspend at midnight. Gold Line and CATS Micro service will remain suspended due to road conditions. Learn more on the CATS website.

12 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 31

Road crews are currently working to plow and salt streets to clear the way for emergencies. Please stay off the roads to allow for street crews and first responders to perform their duties safely.

4:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 30

In preparation for this weekend's winter storm, the City of Charlotte is joining Mecklenburg County, the Town of Cornelius, the Town of Davidson, the Town of Huntersville, the Town of Matthews, the Town of Mint Hill and the Town of Pineville in declaring a State of Emergency.

This State of Emergency will go into effect on Friday, Jan. 30, at 5 p.m. It will remain in effect until local leaders deem it safe to end.

2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 30

Mecklenburg County will activate extreme weather protocols and expanded homeless shelter capacity starting Friday, Jan. 30, at 4 p.m., and last at least until the morning of Monday, Feb. 2.

Read the full announcement on the Mecklenburg County website.

1:45 p.m., Friday, Jan. 30

Due to anticipated weather conditions this weekend, all CATS services will operate on a Sunday schedule on Saturday, Jan. 31. The Gold Line is suspended Saturday, and will be evaluated for reopening on Sunday based on conditions.

Read the on the CATS website.

2:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 26

Due to road conditions, the city's Solid Waste Services collections will occur as crews are able to safely reach streets throughout the week. With overnight refreezing and delayed starts anticipated, crews may continue collections into the next day when conditions allow.

To ensure service is not missed, please place carts at the curb by 6 a.m. on the day you normally receive service, and leave them out until they are collected. It is an orange recycling week.

To receive service alerts directly, text your normally-scheduled collection day to 73224.

11:30 a.m., Monday, Jan. 26

The winter storm shelter at the Grady Cole Center will deactivate on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 11:00 am. The shelter opened to help our neighbors who were concerned about potential power outages during the recent storm. With improved weather and minimal power outages, we are now assisting clients as they return home or connect with other services.

Thank you to our partners at Mecklenburg County, American Red Cross, and many others who supported our neighbors who were concerned about potential power outages during the recent storm. With improved weather and minimal power outages, we are now assisting clients as they return home or connect with other services.

Thank you to our partners at Mecklenburg County, American Red Cross and many others who supported our neighbors during the storm.

Read the full announcement on the Mecklenburg County website.

11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 26

The Charlotte Area Transit System, (CATS), resumed limited service today, beginning at 10 a.m.

Due to predicted freezing conditions this evening and ice reforming, all services will end at midnight. The last Blue Line train will leave UNC Charlotte and I-485 Stations at midnight. The final bus routes will depart the CTC at midnight.

Customers are encouraged to visit the CATS Inclement Weather Alerts Page, which will provide real-time bus detours caused by changing road conditions.

9 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 25

Many offices and services for the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Town of Cornelius, the Town of Davidson, the Town of Huntersville, the Town of Matthews, the Town of Mint Hill and the Town of Pineville will be closed on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.

Tomorrow's closures are due to ongoing safety concerns from winter weather.

For more information, visit their official websites.

3:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 25

The City of Charlotte's Solid Waste Services will not collect trash or recycling on Monday, January 26.

Due to anticipated hazardous road conditions, garbage, recycling, yard waste, and scheduled bulky item collection will not be collected on Monday.

Service will resume Tuesday, January 27, and operate on a one-day delay for the remainder of the week. Please have carts at the curb by 6 a.m.

2:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 25

Due to the extreme winter weather, Mecklenburg County offices and services will be closed on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.

Read the full announcement on the Mecklenburg County website.

11:30 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 25

The Charlotte Area Transit System, CATS, has suspended all transit services for Sunday, Jan. 25 with anticipated service starting again at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 26.

Due to the later start, there will be no Express Bus Service on Monday.

While revenue service is suspended for today, non-passenger trains are still running to keep tracks warm and clear of ice in preparation for service on Monday.

Customers are encouraged to visit the CATS Inclement Weather Alerts Page, which will provide real-time bus detours caused by changing road conditions.

10:15 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 25

Charlotte Area Transit System, CATS, is delaying the start of service until noon Sunday.

The Gold Line service remains suspended, and a supplemental bus bridge is not currently available. Customers who must travel using transit are encouraged to use the CATS-Pass app to find the closest available bus stop and bus route.

Please keep in mind there may be delays and detours. If possible, please consider delaying travel until the winter storm has passed.

Customers are encouraged to visit the CATS Inclement Weather Alerts Page, which will provide real-time bus detours caused by changing road conditions.

9 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 25

The storm is not over. This will be an all-day storm with another wave of precipitation hitting in the early afternoon, according to weather officials.

Stay off the roads, as the roads are slick and can be dangerous. Keeping the roads free of traffic helps emergency workers do their job and keeps everyone safe. CDOT worked through the night to treat roads and prepare for precipitation throughout the day. Crews will continue to monitor and treat roads as needed.

If you lose power, keep barbecues, grills, and other propane cookers outside. They can cause house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Get the most up-to-date information by signing up for Char-Meck Alerts.

2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 24

Starting at 7 p.m., Mecklenburg County and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management are opening a winter storm shelter at Grady Cole Recreation Center (310 N Kings Dr, Charlotte, NC 28204) in coordination with the Red Cross.

These shelters are for those concerned about power outages. Each shelter has a generator and a warming space. These are not medical shelters and cannot administer medical care.

Bring essentials: clothes, toiletries, snacks, chargers, and prescriptions.

For more information about this shelter, visit the Mecklenburg County update from Saturday.

For more information about shelters, visit the county update from Friday.

5 p.m., Friday, Jan. 23

Get the most up-to-date information by signing up for Char-Meck Alerts.

In preparation for the incoming winter storm, the City of Charlotte has joined Mecklenburg County, the Town of Cornelius, the Town of Davidson, the Town of Huntersville, the Town of Matthews, the Town of Mint Hill and the Town of Pineville in declaring a State of Emergency(PDF, 4MB).

This State of Emergency will go into effect on Saturday, Jan. 24 at noon (12 p.m.). It will remain in effect until local leaders deem it safe to end.

3:45 p.m., Friday, Jan. 23

Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office, Roof Above, the Salvation Army Center of Hope, and Hearts for the Invisible Charlotte Coalition are working together to support the needs of people experiencing homelessness. The partners are also preparing for potential widespread power loss and identifying emergency shelter locations for residents across Mecklenburg County who lose power.