🚨 Boone State of Emergency Lifted Monday, Jan 26, 1 PM #WinterStorm

Unlike other areas of the country, Blue Ridge Energy’s service area weathered Storm Fern over the weekend although windy conditions in the mountains are now being monitored. wataugaonline.com/fern-causes-...

from Meat Camp this morning (Monday, January 26, 2026). Photos: Phyllis Winebarger

🤝 Bistro Roca Staff Fundraiser Support local employees Donate at LoveBowingRock.com #CommunitySupport wataugaonline.com/blowing-rock...

🚨 Missed our storm updates? All info here: ➡️ wataugaonline.com/wataugaonlin... #WinterStorm

Ashe County Activates Emergency Operations Center; Shelter Opened in Response to Ice and Snowstorm wataugaonline.com/ashe-county-...

Due to ongoing inclement weather, all CCC and TI campuses and locations will be closed and all activities cancelled for tomorrow, Monday, January 26, 2026. wataugaonline.com/closingscanc...

Watauga County has established multiple shelters and warming centers to assist residents during the severe winter storm. wataugaonline.com/emergency-sh...

Structure fire at Bistro Roca in Blowing Rock wataugaonline.com/structure-fi...

🌡️ EXTREME COLD ADVISORY: AVERY COUNTY Wind chills to 7 below zero Mountain region Avoid outdoor exposure wataugaonline.com/cold-weather... #ColdWeather #AveryCounty

Downtown Boone and Blowing Rock just before 8:30 am (Sunday January 25, 2026)

🚨 Boone Declares State of Emergency Winter storm approaching Entire town on alert wataugaonline.com/boone-declar... #WinterStor

🚨 Emergency Shelter Opening in Boone First Presbyterian Church 4 PM Saturday, January 24th Do not travel during storm #EmergencyShelter

🚨 Watauga County State of Emergency Travel discouraged after 4 PM Prepare for extended storm impact wataugaonline.com/state-of-eme... #WinterStorm

The calm before the storm on this Saturday morning. Photo: Charles Trivette.

The window to finish storm preparations is closing. As of this post, it’s 4:45 AM on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Here’s a graphic that shows the timing courtesy of the National Weather Service Blacksburg

Blue Ridge Energy continues to prepare for a significant winter storm moving through the region this weekend and urges members to also be prepared in the event of power outages. wataugaonline.com/blue-ridge-e...

Watauga County offices will operate on a two (2) hour delay on Monday, January 26, 2026, opening at 10:00 A.M. The Watauga County Sanitation Department’s Container Sites will open on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. wataugaonline.com/closingscanc...

Watauga County Facilities, including the Watauga County Community Recreation Center and all Watauga County Sanitation Department’s Convenience Centers, will close on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. wataugaonline.com/closingscanc...

App State Update from Chancellor Dr. Heather Norris — Friday, January 23, 2026 wataugaonline.com/app-state-up...

Winter Storm Warning including Watauga & Ashe – January 24-26, 2026 wataugaonline.com/winter-storm...

Ice Storm Warning including Avery County – January 24-26, 2026 wataugaonline.com/ice-storm-wa...

📱 MISSED A WINTER STORM UPDATE? DON'T WORRY! 🌨️ Catch every critical winter storm detail you might have overlooked! One comprehensive link for all High Country storm coverage: wataugaonline.com/wataugaonlin... #WinterStorm #HighCountry #NCWeather

Due to severe winter weather in the forecast, Lees-McRae College will hold classes virtually on Friday, Jan. 23 and Monday, Jan. 26. Administrative offices will remain open during this time. wataugaonline.com/closingscanc...

🚨 Blowing Rock declares State of Emergency for incoming winter storm ➡️ wataugaonline.com/blowing-rock... #WinterStorm

The National Park Service has announced a comprehensive closure of the Blue Ridge Parkway across Virginia and North Carolina due to an incoming severe winter storm. wataugaonline.com/blue-ridge-p...

🚨 QUICK ACTION SAVES MARGOT ROAD HOME 🏠 Smoke alarms alert residents, preventing potential fire disaster. Four residents evacuated safely after early warning. Fire originated in bathroom ceiling, quickly contained. ➡️ wataugaonline.com/quick-action... #HomeFireSafety #WataugaCounty

Governor Josh Stein Press Conference – Winter Storm Briefing – Thursday January 22, 2026. Start time 11:15 AM with on-demand streaming at the conclusion. wataugaonline.com/governor-jos...

Storm prep in full swing: Boone Walmart shelves emptying fast. 📸 by Jacquelyn Vines #WinterStorm #WinterStorm #StormPrep #HighCountry #WalmartShelves

Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce is postponing Saturday events(Polar Bear Plunge, Rotary Chili Challenge, WinterFest Beer Garden) to Saturday, January 31. Ticket holders will be contacted directly, and a full alternate schedule will be posted to BlowingRockWinterFest.com.

Due to severe winter weather in the forecast, Lees-McRae College will hold classes virtually on Friday, Jan. 23 and Monday, Jan. 26. Administrative offices will remain open during this time. wataugaonline.com/closingscanc...

🚨 WINTER STORM POWER PREPAREDNESS 🚨 Blue Ridge Energy warns of potential outages. Prepare now with emergency supplies and backup plans. Full guide: wataugaonline.com/blue-ridge-e... #WinterStorm #StaySafe

🚨 NC WINTER STORM EMERGENCY 🚨 Governor declares state of emergency. Prepare now, stay home this weekend. Full details: wataugaonline.com/nc-governor-... #NCWinter #StaySafe

Winter Storm Watch for Watauga, Ashe & Wilkes – January 24-26, 2025 wataugaonline.com/winter-storm...

Winter Storm Watch including Avery County – January 24-26, 2026 wataugaonline.com/winter-storm...

💰 High Country FEMA funding: $34.7M for road repairs in Watauga, Ashe, Avery counties (300+ sites) and $3.7M for Beech Mountain sewer repairs. Part of $116M in new NC Helene recovery funding. wataugaonline.com/fema-announc... #HighCountry #HurricaneHelene #FEMA

The National Weather Service is monitoring a potential winter weather system that could impact the High Country this weekend. wataugaonline.com/potential-wi...

WATAUGA SHERIFF'S ARREST ASSIST Fugitive captured Inter-agency operation Federal warrant wataugaonline.com/watauga-sher... #CommunityAlert

🚨 Weapon discovered at Ashe County Middle School Friday after student reported it. Sheriff: No active threat to students or staff. Weapon secured, student identified. Investigation underway. wataugaonline.com/weapon-disco...

🛒 Corner Provisions food pantry reopening at First Baptist Church of Boone. Open 4-6pm on 3rd Monday of each month starting Jan 19. Any High Country resident in need welcome. 375 W. King St. wataugaonline.com/corner-provi...

👮 Blowing Rock traffic stop leads to prison sentence. Richard Atkins sentenced to up to 25 months for felony habitual larceny and fentanyl possession after November stop. Boone PD K-9 Milo assisted. wataugaonline.com/blowing-rock...

Several school changes for today. Here’s the updated list. wataugaonline.com/closingscanc...

Ashe County Schools will operate on a 2-hour delay tomorrow, Thursday, January 15, 2026. Our winter weather spotters will check roads again in the morning and report any changes before 7:00 a.m. wataugaonline.com/closingscanc...

Watauga County Schools will operate on a two-hour delay on Thursday, Jan. 15. Staff may report on a two-hour delay if needed and should exercise caution while traveling. Buses will travel Limited A Routes with exceptions. wataugaonline.com/closingscanc...

HIGH COUNTRY WEATHER ALERT - Wind Advisory: 50 mph gusts - Cold Warning: -12° wind chill - Ashe & Watauga Counties wataugaonline.com/cold-weather...

🔥 Zionville porch fire caused by improperly disposed fireplace ash. Minimal damage. Fire Marshal reminder: Let ashes cool 4+ days, store in metal container 10+ feet from structures. Never use cardboard or plastic. #WataugaCounty #FireSafety wataugaonline.com/improperly-d...

⚠️ Avery County warming shelter on standby at Rock Gym due to potential power outages from winter weather. Standby: Tomorrow night–Friday morning. Opens if major outage occurs. wataugaonline.com/avery-county... #AveryCounty #WinterWeather

FIRE IN THE SKY 🔥 Sunset captured by Charles Trivette From the top of Tatar Hill #HighCountrySunset #WinterMagic #NCPhotography

MOUNTAIN SUNSET MAGIC 🌅 Breathtaking evening captured by Margaret Love from the Holy Cross/VCCC parking lot. Soft yellows and blues dance across mountain silhouettes Nature's canvas in the High Country #NCSunset #MountainViews #WinterSky

Sunrise this morning from Meat Camp. Photo: Phyllis Winebarger