Roads are icy across much of the state and expected to remain hazardous through at least the morning, according to the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety.
“The best advice this morning is stay home if you can,” said state Emergency Management Director Doug Hoell. “Anyone who is thinking of driving today should first check the road conditions along their route before heading out.”
Overnight, reports of snow ranged from one tenth of an inch in Wake County, to 1 inch in Greensboro, 4 inches in the Charlotte area and approximately 10 inches in Rockingham.
The State Highway Patrol responded to more than 2,570 calls yesterday and had already responded to more than 420 calls between midnight and 8 a.m. There have been no reports of fatalities or serious injuries.
Transportation officials reported this morning that most of the roads across the state are still snow and ice covered. While secondary roads in the Triangle are icy, many of the primary roads and interstates are passable. Crews worked throughout the night salting and sanding roads, and responding to emergency calls. Crews concentrate efforts on the interstates and major U.S. routes first. They expect to get to secondary roads in some counties later today.
For updated road conditions, motorists should call 511 or visit www.ncdot.gov/traffictravel. Travelers are asked NOT to call 911 or the State Highway Patrol.
If you absolutely must travel, the North Carolina Highway Patrol recommends the following precautions:
• 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.
While there have been few reports of power outages, conditions could change later this morning. Light freezing rain and drizzle is expected to continue throughout the morning.
Increasing wind gusts from U.S. 1 east along the Interstate 95 corridor could lead to increasing power outages in the central part of the state.