Cullowhee is turning into a “winter wonderland” as we speak, with snow falling to the ground and classes being cancelled. However, this wonderland can be as dangerous as it is pretty.
Governor Pat McCrory said in a statement around noon today, ““It is going to be a tough 48 hours. Heavy snow, ice and gusty winds are predicted across the state today and tomorrow, which could bring downed trees and power lines and create hazardous travel conditions.”
Briese Gym in snow. Photo by Ceillie Simkiss
Western Carolina University cancelled all face-to-face classes for Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 6:30 a.m., as well as the off-campus and HHS Cat-Tran service. In the 10:03 email through My Cat, campus officials closed Hunter Library for the remainder of the day as well as all Cat-Tran services.
For anyone having computer problems, the IT Help Desk is closed, but you can leave voicemails at 828-227-7487, which will be monitored for voicemails. They will also be helping via email at ithelp@wcu.edu and through a self-service request at http://help.wcu.edu. Both of those will be monitored as usual until 5 p.m. today, according to the email.
Wednesday Feb. 12’s Mainstage performance of “A Doll’s House” was cancelled due to the forecast of inclement weather. The Darwin’s Birthday Event was also cancelled. The demo from visiting artist Mark Hewitt was postponed until Feb. 27, 2014.
Asheville Citizen-Times has removed their article meter on their website in order to give everyone the chance to get the latest updates on the storm here. According to the Asheville Citizen-Times, the Red Cross has opened a shelter in Polk County at the Polk County American Red Cross, 231 Ward Street in Columbus.
The Sylva Herald’s E-edition of their newspaper is free today, since it was deemed too dangerous to deliver. You can read that here. Their twitter reported the first set of accidents on Ledbetter Rd, several of which involved a car sliding into the Tuckaseegee River just off of Old Cullowhee Rd.
WLOS’s twitter is constantly tweeting about road conditions. If anyone in WNC is required to travel in this weather, it would be smart to check there to see what roads are safest!
For any updates on weather-related cancellations at WCU, check their official site here.
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