CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bitterly cold temps will be arriving across the Charlotte region Thursday morning and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are taking steps to prepare for the arctic blast. In a Wednesday night tweet, CMS officials announced it will run under a normal schedule Thursday.
Around 6 a.m. CMS officials told Channel 9 that they were closing two schools due to a power outage in the area: Albemarle Road Elementary and Albemarle Road Middle.
Duke Energy said the power was restored around 11:30 a.m. Thursday.
Up-to-the-minute social media updates: Below freezing temperatures in Charlotte
Duke Energy told Channel 9 that the outage was caused by tree limbs that fell onto power lines, dragging them and the power pole down.
The outage happened around 6 a.m. and Duke said it could take up to six hours to repair.
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There were high winds in the area but officials could not say if that's what caused the limbs to fall.
Buses will be a big concern for school officials over the next few days. If temperatures drop too low, school officials will have to allow for extra time to get the buses started and let them warm up.
FULL FORECAST: Keep up with the latest on the cold snap with our Severe Weather Center 9 meteorologists
Because of that, CMS officials said they're keeping a close eye on the forecast over the next few days. Last January, they delayed classes several times because of the cold weather.
Officials did tell Channel 9 they've asked extra transportation and maintenance personnel to come in early Wednesday to respond to any emergencies.
CMS released the following statement on their website:
"The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. CMS leaders have been monitoring temperatures and wind throughout the day to inform decisions. A two-hour delay was considered. Current weather reports indicate only minor changes in early morning temperatures. This minimized the benefit of a delayed start for students, families and staff."
On Tuesday night, the boilers inside the schools were turned up to keep them warm.
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Avery and Watauga County Schools were closed Thursday.
Hickory Public School officials said they would be operating on a two-hour delay Thursday morning because of the cold, as did officials with Caldwell, Alexander, Ashe, Burke, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln and Iredell-Statesville schools.
FULL LIST: School closings, delays
Keeping warm in frigid conditions
Some people told Channel 9 they're going to be cranking up the heat over the next few days..
Duke Energy said the surge in power could put stress on their equipment, but they're prepared to respond to any problems that come up.
Meantime, if there are problems, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office is recommending that people have another source for heat. They said it's a good idea to keep fresh batteries and candles handy.
Protect the pipes and pets: Cold weather rushing into SC
Officials are saying potentially pipe-busting cold weather is on its way to South Carolina.
The National Weather Service says the cold air will begin rushing into the state Wednesday afternoon, with temperatures ending up Thursday morning around 10 degrees in the Upstate, about 15 degrees in the central part of the state and in the low 20s closer to the coast.
The cold weather isn't all that unusual. Most places in South Carolina get this cold at least once a year. But it is dangerous.
Along with recommending that people drip a faucet to keep pipes from freezing, authorities also say people need to bring pets inside and be extra careful with kerosene and space heaters.
Several cities are also putting in place emergency plans for the homeless.
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