Preparations Underway For Snow And Possible Ice In Foothills

HICKORY, N.C. – Crews in the foothills are anticipating more snow than ice but are preparing for whatever comes their way.

“I love snow, so we’ve very excited. I’m hoping that it will snow at least six inches. He thinks freezing rain,” says Hickory resident Elizabeth Dayton.

She and her husband Bruce are making last minute preps.

“I think we’re ready. We have snow shovels, sleds for the kids,” Dayton says.

Officials say they’re preparing for four to seven inches of snow in Hickory and across the Catawba Valley, with additional sleet on top.

Brian Benton and Jason Willis are prepping local businesses, putting down ice melt in parking lots.

“Just today we’ve been putting salt down. Tryin’ to help melt it or whatever. If it starts accumulating we’ll have to put the plow on and start plowing snow,” Benton says.

They’re preparing to work 18 to 20 hour days.

“I’d rather see snow than ice. Cause nothing is gonna run on the ice,” Willis says.

Officials say Interstate 40 can often be a diving line, with more snow north of I-40 and less to the south.

But it’s still too early to say.

The city of Hickory has 15 plows, six salt spreaders, and 600 tons of salt, if needed.

Due to staffing shortages due to COVID, the city is pulling people from other departments to help.

Meantime, the Dayton family is just planning to take it easy the next few days.

“We got all our groceries this morning, so we’re just gonna hunker down tomorrow, have some chili, and just enjoy the weather,” Bruce Dayton says.