Governor McCrory Urges North Carolinians To Stay Off Roads | Eastern North Carolina Now

Snow and ice accumulation predictions climbing

    Raleigh, N.C. — Governor Pat McCrory is urging people to stay off the roads tonight as the winter storm moves east across North Carolina. Forecasters have increased predicted snow and ice accumulation totals in many areas potentially making roads impassable in a portion of the central part of state.

    "We are very fortunate so far that many drivers heeded our warnings and got off the roads early, but we are nowhere near out of the woods yet," said Governor McCrory. "The prediction totals are increasing for many areas and that could very well continue to change as the storm progresses so please stay off the roads if you possibly can until conditions improve."

    Forecasters predict that an inch or two of sleet may accumulate on top of a couple inches of snow in a swath that encompasses the central part of the state from Charlotte to Rocky Mount roughly along the U.S. 64 corridor. The State Highway Patrol has been working approximately slightly more than 1,000 accidents since midnight Monday with one that shut down I-85 south at I-485 in Charlotte. A tractor trailer accident on I-77 north near Troutman left one lane open for travel.

    "We have teams of troopers and other law enforcement partners mobilized across the state checking abandoned vehicles to help ensure no one is stranded," Public Safety Secretary Frank L. Perry said. "Additionally, National Guard troops are on standby and prepared to respond as needed."

    NCDOT spent the last several days treating roads with more than 1.3 million gallons of salt brine across the state in advance of the storm. Crews will continue to work through the night and into the morning to treat and clear roads with salt, sand and plows and be ready to respond to trouble spots. Despite proactive efforts, the wintry precipitation and cold temperatures are expected to create hazardous travel conditions.

    "We urge everyone to stay off the roads and allow our trucks to do the clearing work for the safety of our employees and all drivers," said NCDOT Secretary Tony Tata. "The cold temperatures are likely to produce additional slick spots after the first round of clearing so please monitor conditions closely and if you have to travel use extreme caution."

    As ice accumulation predictions increase, the potential for power outages also increases. Accumulations of one-quarter inch or more on trees and power lines often leads to power outages.

    A few counties have opened shelters such as Mecklenburg, Moore, Montgomery, Wake and Johnston.

    Real-time weather and road conditions and shelter openings, as well as winter safety tips, can be found on the free ReadyNC mobile app or on line at www.readync.org web site.

    Travelers are urged to call 511 or go to www.ncdot.org for up to date roadway conditions. Motorists are reminded to only use 911 for emergencies so those lines are not overloaded with non-emergency calls.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov