Winter Storm Fern Forces Wake Forest Closures; Emergency Shelter Open, Roads Icy

Ice left by Winter Storm Fern has disrupted daily life across Wake Forest, forcing town offices and services to close and prompting officials to urge residents to remain home unless travel is essential. The emergency shelter at Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road, remains open until further notice for people who need a warm, safe place.

Wake Forest Town Hall, the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, Joyner Park Community Center, Flaherty Park Community Center, Alston-Massenburg Center, and Wake Forest Community House are closed for Monday, Jan. 26. The Wake Forest Center for Active Aging and Meals on Wheels also are closed and home-delivered meals will not be delivered to clients. Trash and recycling collection by Republic Services is suspended for Monday, and Go Wake Forest public transit service is suspended for Monday as well. Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources programs scheduled for Monday have been canceled when Wake County Public School System closes or implements early release.

Town road crews have been plowing main roads and spreading sand and salt, while North Carolina Department of Transportation crews are plowing state-maintained roads. Despite those efforts, Wake Forest Police report roads are icy and dangerous. As of 1 p.m., two single-vehicle weather-related traffic mishaps had been reported, underscoring the risk of traveling on untreated or refreezing surfaces.

Officials provided guidance to residents on coping with power outages, when to call 911, pedestrian safety, and sledding safety. Town staff advised people to stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary and to monitor official channels for updates about service resumptions. PRCR cancellations, transit suspension, and Republic Services delays will affect routines for families, commuters, and people receiving municipal services.

The combination of suspended Meals on Wheels, closed senior services, and limited transit creates particular challenges for older adults and households without private transportation. Heritage High School’s shelter offers a central option for residents who cannot safely remain in their homes, and emergency responders continue to coordinate with town crews to prioritize safety on major corridors and neighborhoods.

Officials will continue to monitor conditions and will update residents about Tuesday’s schedule. For now, Wake Forest residents should assume Monday closures remain in place, avoid nonessential travel, and check town communications for reopening information. The storm’s ice may recede unevenly across neighborhoods, so exercising caution on sidewalks and side streets will remain important as crews work to restore normal services.