Heavy, patchy snowfall leaves Mebane and Elon dealing with disruption

A slow-moving winter system on Jan. 12 produced widely varying snowfall across the Triangle, leaving parts of Alamance County with several inches of accumulation and widespread disruption for drivers and local crews. Local totals recorded across central North Carolina included 9.5 inches in Mebane and the Union Ridge area and 8.5 inches at Elon College. Raleigh-Durham International Airport reached a new date-record snowfall with 5.9 inches, underscoring how the storm nailed some neighborhoods while nearby locations saw lighter amounts.

The banded nature of the snow meant sharp contrasts from street to street. Higher totals around Mebane and the Union Ridge area created deeper drifts on secondary roads and residential streets, while main thoroughfares in some towns cleared sooner. That variability complicated plowing priorities and left many residents shoveling long driveways and sidewalks into the evening. Airports and regional travel hubs felt the impact as record snow on this calendar date affected ground operations and likely delayed flights and commute plans.

Public health and safety concerns sharpen during events like this. Heavier snow increases the risk of slips and falls, strains from shoveling, and delays for people needing medical appointments or prescription refills. Power outages can also pose hypothermia and carbon monoxide dangers if people use alternative heating or improperly ventilated equipment. Rural and low-income households often have fewer resources for prompt snow removal, longer driveways to clear, and less flexible transportation options, intensifying inequities in access to care and essential services after a storm.

Local emergency services and public works crews typically prioritize major roads, emergency routes and critical infrastructure, so residents should expect side streets to take longer to see plows. For people who rely on daily medical treatments or work in health care and other essential jobs, even a few hours of delay can ripple through schedules and services. Community volunteers and neighborhood networks often fill gaps by checking on older neighbors and helping with clearing walkways, an informal safety net that matters in tighter-knit towns.

As crews continue clearing roads and residents finish snow removal, the focus will shift to recovery and making sure vulnerable neighbors can get what they need. The storm is a reminder that even small- to moderate-depth snowfalls can produce unequal burdens across a county, and that public-health planning should account for access, mobility and equity when winter weather arrives.

The takeaway? If you live in Mebane, Elon or nearby parts of Alamance County, give yourself extra time on the roads, check on elderly or homebound neighbors, and be cautious with heavy shoveling and alternative heating. Small acts — a cleared sidewalk, a phone call to a neighbor — go a long way when our community digs out together.