Plow Truck Slides Off Snow-Covered Niley Cook Road in Boone, North Carolina, Knocking Down Power Lines as Winter Weather Hits High Country
NORTH CAROLINA — A snowplow truck slid off the roadway in Boone along Niley Cook Road, knocking down power lines as winter weather swept across the High Country.
Photos from the scene show the plow truck partially off the road on a snow-covered incline, with a utility pole and multiple power lines pulled down across the narrow mountain roadway. Two individuals appear to be standing nearby as crews assess the situation.
Snowfall Across the Boone Area
According to reports, a couple of inches of snow fell across the Boone area, creating slick driving conditions. While that may not seem extreme by mountain standards, even light accumulation can quickly turn steep, winding roads hazardous — especially in elevated terrain.
Higher elevations in the North Carolina mountains have seen much heavier totals. Ridge tops in the region are reporting nearly a foot of snow, significantly increasing the risk of sliding vehicles and travel disruptions.
Power Lines Taken Down
The crash resulted in downed power lines, which pose serious safety hazards. It remains unclear how long outages may last or how many homes are affected, but fallen lines can block roads and complicate cleanup efforts.
Authorities typically urge residents to:
- Avoid contact with any downed lines
- Treat all lines as live
- Use caution when traveling near utility repair operations
Mountain Roads Turn Treacherous
Boone and surrounding mountain communities are no strangers to winter weather, but steep grades combined with fresh snowfall can quickly overwhelm even experienced drivers.
Snowplow trucks are often the first vehicles on the road during winter storms, tasked with clearing dangerous conditions. However, slick surfaces, hidden ice patches, and narrow mountain corridors can increase the risk of incidents — even for heavy-duty vehicles.
With ridge tops nearing a foot of snow and lighter but impactful totals in Boone itself, residents are being reminded to reduce travel when possible and allow crews to clear roadways safely.
Winter Impact in the High Country
The incident highlights how quickly conditions can deteriorate in higher elevations of western North Carolina. What begins as a modest snowfall can create major travel challenges, especially on secondary roads like Niley Cook Road.
Drivers throughout the High Country are urged to monitor conditions closely and allow extra travel time. For continued coverage of significant weather impacts across the country, stay connected with NapervilleLocal.com.
I’ve lived in Naperville long enough to see how quickly our community changes — from new developments downtown to sudden shifts in our Midwest weather. Reporting on Naperville news and daily forecasts gives me the chance to keep neighbors informed about what really matters. My goal is simple: deliver clear, timely updates so you always know what’s happening in our city and what to expect from the skies above.