State of Emergency Issued with Upcoming Winter Storm

Guilford County issues State of Emergency due to forecasted winter storm.

Guilford County has declared a local State of Emergency due to the potential impacts of the forecasted winter storm predicted to move through the area this weekend. The State of Emergency will go into effect at noon (12:00PM) Thursday, January 22, 2026.

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Shelter Information

The health and well-being of our residents is our main priority during Winter Storm Fern. If and when shelters are open in Guilford County, you can find them here.

Warming Centers

Organizations in the cities of Greensboro and High Point will open as Warming Centers for people without shelter.

Delays and Closures

County services and facilities may be affected during and following Winter Storm Fern. Find the latest list of delays and closures here.

Preparedness Information

The best way to ensure you and your family are prepared is to start the preparedness process well before the disaster occurs.

Emergency Management Activates Emergency Operations Center

In preparation for the expected winter weather moving through the area, Guilford County Emergency Management will activate the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to Level 3, a full activation, at 7 p.m. tonight, Saturday, Jan. 24. This level of activation brings together leadership and operational representatives from Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Fire, Law Enforcement, Public Works, county leadership, allied agencies, and community stakeholders, enabling real-time coordination, shared situational awareness, and rapid decision-making as weather conditions evolve.

Guilford County Emergency Management is working closely with Duke Energy and High Point Energy and is actively monitoring live outage data across the area. Emergency services remain available, and residents should continue to call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies. For non-emergencies in Greensboro, residents should call (336) 373-2222 and in High Point, (336) 883-3224.

Members of the public are encouraged to stay informed through official Guilford County communications, local media outlets, and by enabling notifications from the Guilford Emergency Alert, Notification, and Information System (GEANI). A free service from Guilford County Emergency Management, GEANI signup information is located at ReadyGuilford.org.

Update: January 24, 2026, 5:56 p.m.
 

Know Who To Call

Preparedness is key to staying safe. From reporting downed trees blocking roadways to requesting non-emergency assistance, we’ve got you covered. If you or someone you know needs help during the winter storm, make sure you have these important phone numbers handy:

(La preparación es clave para mantenerse seguro. Desde reportar árboles caídos que bloquean las vías hasta solicitar asistencia para casos no urgentes, estamos aquí para ayudar. Si usted o alguien que conoce necesita ayuda durante la tormenta invernal, asegúrese de tener a la mano estos números telefónicos importantes):

  • Non-Emergency Number (No Emergencias)

    • Greensboro: (336) 373-2222

    • High Point: (336) 883-3224

  • Downed Trees Blocking Roadways (Árboles caídos en las carreteras)

    • (336) 373-2222

  • Power-Duke Energy (Electricidad)

    • (800) 769-3766

  • Greensboro Water (Servicios de agua en Greensboro)

    • (336) 373-2033

  • High Point Utilities (Servicios Públicos de High Point)

    • (336) 883-3111

  • GDOT Snow Hotline for snow/ice concerns (Línea telefónica de GDOT para información sobre preocupaciones de nieve/hielo)

    • (336) 373-2076

Update: January 25, 2026, 1:30 a.m. 

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