Public Notice: State of Emergency and Winter Weather Service Impacts

State of Emergency and Weather Alert

The City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County have declared a State of Emergency effective as of 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026. This declaration remains in effect through Saturday, January 31, as the region responds to a significant winter storm bringing snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Local leaders issued the emergency order to unlock resources for storm recovery and to prioritize public safety. Residents are strongly encouraged to stay off the roads to allow crews to treat surfaces and to ensure emergency responders can reach those in need safely.

Transit and Transportation Service Changes

Due to hazardous road conditions and icy surfaces, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is operating on a modified schedule today, January 31. Please be aware of the following service impacts for commuters and essential travelers:

• Reduced Schedule: All bus and LYNX Blue Line light rail services are operating on a Sunday schedule. The Blue Line is running at 30-minute frequencies throughout the day.
• Suspended Services: The City-LYNX Gold Line streetcar service is completely suspended for the day. All express bus routes are also cancelled.
• Bus Route Impact: Several specific routes that do not traditionally operate on Sundays are suspended today, including Route 20 (Queens Road), Route 28 (Fairview Road), Route 30 (Woodlawn/Crosstown), Route 51 (Pineville-Matthews Road), and Route 59 (UNC Charlotte-Huntersville).

Emergency Shelters and Public Health

In response to the extreme cold and ongoing winter precipitation, Mecklenburg County has activated extreme weather protocols and expanded homeless shelter capacity through at least Monday, February 2. The following public health resources are currently active:

• Winter Storm Shelter: A warming shelter is open at the Grady Cole Recreation Center (310 N Kings Dr). The facility is equipped with a generator and basic essentials; residents should bring their own toiletries and prescriptions.
• Health Advisory: Mecklenburg County Public Health continues to maintain an active health advisory regarding a regional measles outbreak. Following recent detections in wastewater and confirmed cases in the county, health officials urge residents to ensure vaccinations are up to date and to monitor for symptoms.

Park and Public Works Updates

While many county services are restricted due to the storm, several long-term infrastructure notices remain active for Charlotte greenways and residential services:

• Greenway Closures: Construction continues on the Briar Creek Greenway and the E. John Street entrance of the Four Mile Creek Greenway. Detours remain in place for all recreational users.
• Solid Waste: The City’s Solid Waste Services may experience collection delays throughout the coming week. Residents are advised to leave their carts at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on their scheduled day, as crews will attempt pick-ups as soon as neighborhood streets are deemed safe.

Staying Informed

For non-emergency information or to report issues like downed trees not affecting public safety, residents should call 311. For all life-threatening emergencies, call 911. Real-time updates on road conditions and transit detours are available through the CATS-Pass mobile application and the official CharMeck Alerts system.