As North Carolina begins preparing for a winter storm this weekend, Gov. Josh Stein said impacts from snow and ice could last for days. He said people should prepare for power outages that could last for days.
Much of North Carolina could see ice accumulation of a quarter inch or more, which could cause power outages and make travel treacherous.
“Our greatest concerns remain for travel and power outages that could last for days,” the governor said.
The governor said people should stay off the roads starting Saturday evening. Icy roads could last for days with cold temperatures in the forcast well into next week, he said.
Earlier this week, crews with the state Department of Transportation began treating the roads with brine and removing abandoned vehicles from the side of roadways in preparation for icy conditions.
Officials say high-rise vehicles have been prepped and are ready to be deployed for any rescue efforts, the forest service is prepared to remove any downed trees and aviation units from the State Highway Patrol and N.C. National Guard are ready to be deployed if necessary.
Equipment is also being prestaged, Daniel Johnson, the state’s transportation secretary said, in areas that are known trouble spots for rapid response.
Duke Energy is also bringing in crews from across the country to respond as quickly as possible to any outages that may occur, Stein said. At this time, the governor said there is no estimate as to how many people may lose power across the state, but everything that can be done is being done to ensure it is restored as quickly as possible to those impacted.
Power outages should not be reported to 911. All outages should be reported directly to the power companies through their websites. The North Carolina Department of Public Saftey has created an interactive map to track power outages across the state, with the number of homes and business impacted.
Related: 10 tips to help you get through another winter storm in N.C.
To help residents prepare for the coming winter storm, North Carolina Emergency Management officials are recommending the following tips:
- Pay close attention to your local forecast and be prepared for what’s expected in your area
- Keep cell phones, mobile devices, and spare batteries charged
- Use a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio or a weather alert app on your phone to receive emergency weather alerts
- Dress warmly. Wear multiple layers of thin clothing instead of a single layer of thick clothing
- Store an emergency kit in your vehicle. Include scraper, jumper cables, tow chain, sand/salt, blankets, flashlight, first-aid kit, and road map
- Gather emergency supplies for your pet, including leash and care supplies, enough food for several days, and a pet travel carrier
- Do not leave pets outside for long periods of time during freezing weather
- Look out for your friends, neighbors, and the elderly during winter weather
If your power goes out:
- Ensure generators are operated outside and away from open windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
- Never burn charcoal indoors or use a gas grill indoors
- Properly vent kerosene heaters
- Use battery-powered sources for light, instead of candles, to reduce the risk of fire
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Justin Pryor, Blair Hamilton
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