Bladen Co. shelters closing after icy morning

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The winter storm that impacted most of the state caused a mess in Bladen County today, shutting down schools and knocking out power to hundreds of residents.

Emergency Management Director Bradley Kinlaw said warming shelters opened at both West Bladen High School in Bladenboro and Bladen Lakes Primary in Elizabethtown this morning to offer a warmer option to those in the dark. Bladen Lakes closed this afternoon, and officials said West Bladen would close this evening.

The shelters were set up by the American Red Cross.

“We’re facing a lot of power lines down, a lot of trees down, a lot of ice on the roads – just trying to keep people safe here at the shelters if they need to come,” said Jacquelyn Hilbourn of the Bladen County Social Services.

According to Bladen County Emergency Management, about 800 customers were without power this morning, but power was restored for most by this afternoon.

Kinlaw said that a good amount of ice was able to melt off throughout the day but he encourages drivers to remain cautious as temperatures drop again tonight.

“We do have a little concern with the melting this afternoon that there might be some patches of black ice and other slick spots,” said Kinlaw.