Snowstorms Paralyze North Carolina, Prompt Caution Among Residents
This past week, North Carolina has been at the mercy of two significant winter storms, causing widespread disruptions and raising safety concerns. Several areas across the state have witnessed unprecedented snowfall, with some locations in the Triad reporting accumulations of up to 12 inches, while others saw around 6 inches.
The recent snowfall only compounds the challenges posed by the previous weekend’s ice storm, which had already led to hazardous driving conditions and resulted in school closures or shifts to remote learning.
Governor Josh Stein, during a Sunday morning press briefing, highlighted the gravity of the situation by noting the occurrence of over 1,000 traffic incidents, including a tragic 100-car pileup on Interstate 85, which resulted in two fatalities. State officials have observed an increase in road traffic compared to the previous weekend and continue to advocate for limited travel.
State Secretary of Transportation Daniel Johnson expressed concerns about road safety, stating, “We’re throwing everything we have at this, but it will take days, even in the least impacted areas, to clear the roads. In some areas, it could be up to a week before secondary roads are clear.”
Efforts by the North Carolina Department of Transportation are currently focused on clearing snow from interstates and primary routes. However, even cleared roads remain susceptible to icy conditions.
A Division 9 spokesperson, overseeing Davie, Davidson, Forsyth, Rowan, and Stokes counties, mentioned that while interstates are expected to be cleared by Sunday’s end, primary routes might take longer, particularly in rural, shaded areas where cold temperatures persist.
Authorities urge those who must travel to exercise caution by driving slowly, maintaining ample following distance, and being prepared with emergency supplies, such as blankets, extra clothing, food, water, a flashlight, an ice scraper, and a cell phone charger.
