Residents brace for bitterly cold temperatures in the North Carolina mountains

BOONE, N.C. — While it’s starting to get colder in Charlotte, it’s nothing compared to the temperatures those in the mountains will be experiencing.

Channel 9′s Dave Faherty said it has fallen 40 degrees in the area since Thursday night and the wind is continuing to pick up.

Faherty said he saw several inches of snow that fell along Highway 231 in Bowling Rock.

One of the biggest challenges most residents are facing is the bitterly cold temperatures that allow the roads to refreeze quickly after they have been plowed.

Another issue was the downed trees across the foothills.

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Blue Ridge Electric crews said that they worked on dozens of outages, trying to get the power back.

Channel 9 spoke with a couple in Caldwell County who are in their 90s. The Walshes said their family is now relying on a wood stove for heat.

The couple’s son, Terry Walsh, said the wind was intense earlier in the day.

“Very bad. You can feel it shaking the house almost. The trees are laying over and I seen the power lines start blowing flames down there,” Walsh said.

Beech Mountain Ski Resort will be closed Friday and Saturday due to dangerous wind chills.

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