North Carolina Governor Josh Stein held a briefing to update the public as a winter storm continues to affect the state. He was joined by officials from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Department of Transportation, Department of Health and Human Services, Emergency Management, State Highway Patrol, and the North Carolina National Guard.
“North Carolina: we are not out of the woods yet. Freezing rain today and bitter cold in the coming days will continue to bring dangerous road conditions and power outages,” said Governor Stein. “Be sure to have a plan for if your power goes out, and please stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. Our state team is working together with our private, federal, and local partners to provide emergency support and keep you safe.”
President Trump approved an Emergency Declaration requested by Governor Stein on Thursday. This declaration allows North Carolina access to federal resources that can be used for emergency protective actions such as deploying generators to critical facilities like hospitals, supporting shelter operations, providing food, water, fuel supplies, and receiving assistance from the US Forest Service for tree removal.
Since last night, various parts of North Carolina have reported snow, sleet, and freezing rain. An Ice Storm Warning is active for portions of the southern mountains and southwest Piedmont until midday Monday. A Winter Storm Warning covers northern mountains and central areas through midday Monday; northern Coastal Plain areas remain under warning until Monday evening. The Sandhills region has a Winter Weather Advisory through midday Monday.
Officials expect ice accumulations between 0.25” – 0.5” in some mountain regions and much of the Piedmont area; lesser amounts are possible elsewhere in central mountains and coastal plains. Temperatures are forecasted to drop into single digits Monday night with continued cold through next week.
“It is important that all North Carolinians in communities impacted by wintry precipitation stay home and off the roadways today and into tomorrow,” said Director of Emergency Management Will Ray. “We will see additional freezing rain and impacts, like power outages, so please do not let your guard down.”
Governor Stein declared a State of Emergency on Wednesday ahead of the storm’s arrival on Saturday. The State Emergency Response Team was activated prior to assist affected communities.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) crews have been spreading salt and sand since Saturday when the storm began impacting roads across the state. Beforehand they pre-treated roads with nearly 4 million gallons of brine; ongoing work includes treating trouble spots with salt spreaders or plows until all state-maintained roads are clear. Crews focus first on interstates before primary or secondary routes while chainsaw teams remove downed trees from roadways.
“We’re thankful to people across the state for exercising caution and staying off the roads. We’re not out of the woods yet, and conditions will continue to deteriorate throughout the day” said State Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson. “It’s more difficult to clear ice than it is snow, and road conditions are going to remain dangerous in the days ahead. We encourage everyone to continue avoiding travel so crews can work to clear roads as weather allows.”
Residents are advised that this rare statewide storm may bring hazardous travel conditions for several days due to lingering snow, sleet or freezing rain combined with icy temperatures.
Emergency management officials recommend monitoring local forecasts closely; keeping cell phones charged; using NOAA radios or weather alert apps; dressing warmly in layers; storing vehicle emergency kits including jumper cables or blankets; preparing pet supplies; protecting pets from prolonged exposure outdoors; checking on neighbors—especially elderly individuals—and following generator safety guidelines if power outages occur.
