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Chatham County Declares State of Emergency
Post Date:01/30/2026 12:06 PM
CHATHAM COUNY, NC - Chatham County has declared a State of Emergency due to a predicted winter storm, effective January 30, 2026.
Current forecasts indicate a significant winter storm is expected to impact Chatham County later today. The storm follows severe winter weather on January 24th and 25th and a period of prolonged below-average temperatures, which have already affected public safety, infrastructure, and essential services. Additional impacts from the upcoming storm are expected to further strain county resources and operations.
The Chatham County State of Emergency is authorized under Article 1A of Chapter 166A and Article 36A of Chapter 14 of the North Carolina General Statutes and is implemented in conjunction with Governor Stein’s executive order declaring a State of Emergency for the entire state.
“This is the second major winter storm to impact Chatham County in just one week, and it is critical that residents take this storm seriously,” said Amanda Robertson, Chatham County Board of Commissioners Chair. “Ice accumulation from last week remains in some areas, making conditions especially dangerous. I urge residents to stay informed, limit travel, and put safety first. I also want to sincerely thank our Emergency Operations staff, our law enforcement partners, and our utility crews who continue to work around the clock—often in hazardous conditions—to keep our community safe. Their dedication and professionalism make a real difference during times like these.”
The declaration covers the entire jurisdiction of Chatham County and includes the municipalities of Pittsboro, Siler City, Goldston, Apex, and Cary.
The storm will likely impact County operations and services over the weekend and into next week, and additional information will be released as it is available. Should conditions necessitate, plans are in place to open designated emergency shelters. If an emergency shelter is opened, details will be released at that time.
Updates will be posted to the Chatham County website www.chathamcountync.gov and social media channels – Facebook, Twitter/X and Nextdoor. Residents are also encouraged to stay informed about the storm by monitoring www.readync.gov.
Return to full list >>The Chatham County State of Emergency is authorized under Article 1A of Chapter 166A and Article 36A of Chapter 14 of the North Carolina General Statutes and is implemented in conjunction with Governor Stein’s executive order declaring a State of Emergency for the entire state.
“This is the second major winter storm to impact Chatham County in just one week, and it is critical that residents take this storm seriously,” said Amanda Robertson, Chatham County Board of Commissioners Chair. “Ice accumulation from last week remains in some areas, making conditions especially dangerous. I urge residents to stay informed, limit travel, and put safety first. I also want to sincerely thank our Emergency Operations staff, our law enforcement partners, and our utility crews who continue to work around the clock—often in hazardous conditions—to keep our community safe. Their dedication and professionalism make a real difference during times like these.”
The declaration covers the entire jurisdiction of Chatham County and includes the municipalities of Pittsboro, Siler City, Goldston, Apex, and Cary.
The storm will likely impact County operations and services over the weekend and into next week, and additional information will be released as it is available. Should conditions necessitate, plans are in place to open designated emergency shelters. If an emergency shelter is opened, details will be released at that time.
Updates will be posted to the Chatham County website www.chathamcountync.gov and social media channels – Facebook, Twitter/X and Nextdoor. Residents are also encouraged to stay informed about the storm by monitoring www.readync.gov.