Guilford County mobilized with partners, prepared for wintry weather threat
On December 3 Guilford County Emergency Services coordinated with the National Weather Service and local partners to prepare for a potential wintry and hazardous weather event across the Piedmont Triad. County officials moved to synchronize communications and warned residents to take precautions for icy roads and to sign up for location specific alerts.
Guilford County Emergency Services took a proactive stance on December 3 as forecasters signaled the potential for wintry and hazardous conditions in the Piedmont Triad. County leadership worked with the National Weather Service and local partners to align forecasts and preparedness actions, a step officials said was intended to streamline decisions about closures and public safety measures.
Scott Muthersbaugh, public information officer for Guilford County Emergency Services, said the county was "getting everybody on the same sheet of music". Officials scheduled an early Friday meeting to review conditions and decide whether to announce closures or delays for schools, county operations and other public services. That coordination reflected an effort to give residents and institutions timely, location specific information.
Officials emphasized road safety as the immediate concern, noting that overpasses and highway ramps can form ice first and that drivers should build extra travel time and increase distance between vehicles. Residents were also advised to take basic home winterization steps such as dripping faucets and disconnecting exterior hoses to reduce the risk of frozen pipes. To receive targeted warnings and updates, officials urged residents to sign up for GEANI, the Guilford Emergency Alert, Notification and Information system, via the county website.
For Guilford County residents the planning and coordination matter because even a brief stretch of ice can trigger collisions, school and business disruptions, and strain on local emergency services. The county's advance communications with regional and federal partners aims to reduce confusion during fast changing conditions and to allow public safety agencies to deploy resources more effectively.
As the community moves through the winter season, officials said they will continue to monitor forecasts and update the public as conditions change. Residents should follow county alerts, allow extra travel time when temperatures are near freezing, and take simple winter preparedness steps at home to limit damage and keep vulnerable neighbors safe.
