Staff report
The first snowfall of the winter was just enough to close schools Tuesday and cause a flurry of early morning wrecks.
Rowan-Salisbury School System officials initially called for a two-hour delay but later canceled school for the day as did many other school systems throughout the region.
Snowfall totaled around one-half inch, according to official estimates. Some areas of the county got a little more, while others got barely enough for a good photo.
Crews from the N.C. Department of Transportation began spreading salt brine on Interstate 85 and other major roads around 4 a.m. It was the first salt-spreading effort this winter by highway crews. Last winter, crews had a hectic season, spreading brine nearly a dozen times as snow and ice took repeated swipes at the area.
John Thomason, transportation supervisor, said the melting snow and ice started refreezing about mid-morning, causing a rash of wrecks, particularly on I-85 around Mount Hope Church Road near China Grove.
Reports indicated the wrecks resulted mainly in property damage.
Traffic backups and vehicles on the inside lane caused problems getting the brine spread across all the lanes of the interstate.
A crew was scheduled to be on standby throughout the night and deal with any slick spots that could occur this morning.
N.C. Highway Patrol Sgt. T.J. White said the agency called in extra troopers Tuesday morning.
There were a few wrecks in the morning, but most were cleared up before 10 a.m., White said.
The Salisbury Police Department also responded to a few morning wrecks.
Chief Deputy Steve Whitley said they consisted of drivers who ended up in ditches because of icy patches.