RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina residents are bracing for what forecasters are warning will be a serious winter storm that will blanket much of the state in snow, sleet and ice.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Wednesday and into Thursday covering nearly all the state.
Up to 10 inches of snow is possible in the Asheville area. Up to 11 inches of snow is possible around Charlotte, with as much as 10 inches in the Greensboro and Winston-Salem areas. As much as 6 inches of snow could fall around Raleigh.
Only an inch or so of accumulation is expected in the eastern part of the state, but much of that could be a sheet of ice.
Gov. Pat McCrory encouraged people to avoid travel if possible. He said Tuesday that his goal is for the state to be “over prepared and underwhelmed by the storm.” McCrory has signed orders declaring an emergency, freeing state resources to react.
Transportation workers in North Carolina report no major problems on the state roads as snow, sleet and freezing rain is reported in the state.
The transportation department said early Wednesday no serious problems have been reported. The agency does say icy patches are possible on Interstates 95 and 40 in eastern North Carolina.
Electrical providers reported about 2,000 customers without service Wednesday morning. Duke Energy reports about 1,600 customers are without service in the Wilmington area. The utility said about 400 customers are without service in the western part of the state, most in Henderson County.