As North Carolina begins its recovery from the icy grip of a recent winter storm, Governor Josh Stein has advised residents to tread cautiously on the still-slick roads, according to an official statement on the North Carolina Office of the Governor website. In the aftermath of a storm that distributed between 1-5 inches of snow and up to 0.15 inches of icy precipitation across various parts of the state, the Governor expressed gratitude toward the community's unsung heroes, including first responders, Department of Transportation (DOT) workers, emergency management personnel, and volunteers.
Emergency Management Director Will Ray highlighted in a statement on the North Carolina Office of the Governor website, "Conditions are improving across the state after the snow and ice from last night’s storm," urging those who don't need to be on the roads to stay home to allow public safety and transportation personnel to do their work unrestrained by additional traffic, and for those who must venture out, to practice extreme caution recognizing the risk of black ice on roads and bridges. The NCDOT has engaged an extensive workforce to salt the roads and clear roadways; meanwhile, more than 3 million gallons of brine pre-treated the roads before the storm hit. As of yesterday morning, most thoroughfares have been made passable, although the possibility of refreezing remains a concern, demanding ongoing vigilance from road crews and the public alike.
Despite the complexities, all major airports within the state maintain operation but not without some inevitable delays and cancellations. The State Highway Patrol has been engaged throughout the weather event, responding to over 1,500 collisions and close to a thousand other service calls. Additionally, more than 100 North Carolina National Guard soldiers are prepared to assist with road access along critical interstate corridors in coordination with transportation authorities. Power outages, peaking at over 15,000, have been significantly reduced, with utility crews tirelessly working to restore power to the less than 3,000 homes and businesses still in the dark.
Residents are encouraged to heed safety advisories, which include the cardinal rule of never operating generators or grills indoors due to the invisible and deadly carbon monoxide fumes they emit. Checking in on vulnerable community members and taking care of pets in adverse weather are also key points being pressed by state officials. For comprehensive guidance on cold-weather preparedness and real-time updates on road conditions, North Carolinians are directed to visit the ReadyNC.gov and DriveNC.gov websites respectively; and it's reiterated that 911 should only be used for legitimate emergencies.
