Governor McCrory Urges Patience Until Higher Temperatures Arrive | Eastern North Carolina Now

 Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory urges drivers to continue to exercise caution until warmer temperatures melt the wintry mix of precipitation that caused dangerous driving conditions.

 "Many of our school systems cancelled classes for the day and a federal holiday and several business delays also have helped to prevent a much worse situation," said Governor McCrory. "But we're not out of the woods, particularly on secondary roads, until the higher temperatures arrive later today."

 Late last week the governor implemented the adverse weather policy for state agencies, enabling state employees to come in later when conditions are safer.

 As temperatures rise throughout the day, the wintry precipitation will transition to rain. The southeastern portions of North Carolina and southern mountains will be the first to see conditions improve. By mid-afternoon Monday, most of the state should see only rain. However, additional accumulations of one to two inches of snow and sleet combined are expected through Monday afternoon for the northern mountains and northwest Piedmont areas where the winter storm warning is in effect. Freezing rain could linger overnight in these areas. By daybreak Tuesday, the rain should be over; high temperatures are expected to be in the 40s and 50s across much of the state with coastal areas reaching the 60s.

 The North Carolina State Emergency Response Team has been closely monitoring the weather and coordinating with local emergency managers on any needed resources.

 State Highway Patrol troopers have responded to more than 1,100 wrecks across the state between midnight and 10:30 a.m. The majority of those calls were in the greater Triangle area where troopers responded to more than 300 weather-related wrecks; none of the wrecks have resulted in serious injuries. Additional troopers have been dispatched to trouble spots.

 Sixty-three school systems in North Carolina are closed today and 30 more are operating on a delayed start.

 NCDOT crews have been working through the night spreading salt and treating trouble spots on North Carolina's roadways.

 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 online at www.readync.org website.

 Travelers are urged to call 511 or go to www.ncdot.org for up to date roadway conditions. Motorists are reminded NOT to call 911 or the State Highway Patrol Communication Centers for roadway conditions.

 If you must travel, the North Carolina Highway Patrol recommends following these safety tips:

• Reduce your speed. Driving at the regular speed limit will reduce your ability to control the car if you begin to slide.
• Leave plenty of room between you and other vehicles. Bridges and overpasses accumulate ice first. Approach them with extreme caution and do not apply your brakes while on the bridge.
• If you do begin to slide, take your foot off the gas and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the slide. Do not apply the brakes as that will cause further loss of control of the car.

• Contact:
•  Crystal Feldman
•  govpress@nc.gov