RALEIGH – With some melting Thursday and
temperatures on the rise again Friday, North Carolina’s interstates and major
highways are in good shape, but many secondary roads and neighborhood streets
are still treacherous. Governor Cooper urged everyone to be patient just a
little while longer before venturing out and to drive carefully if they do.
“The sun is back out and temperatures are climbing.
Primary roads are much improved today, but many secondary roads are still slick
in places,” Gov. Cooper said. “You can help by continuing to stay off the roads
where snow and ice are still in the way, and use caution while driving if you
must travel.”
The State Highway Patrol investigated
more than 3,000 crashes from Tuesday night through 11 a.m. Friday, and received
nearly 5,000 calls for service since the storm began.
One traffic fatality was reported in rural Washington County, near
Roper, where a vehicle went off the road and overturned in a canal. The
occupant of that vehicle Lee Deshawn Norman, 26, of Plymouth, died. The cause of
the collision is under investigation but state troopers advise the roadway was
snow-covered at the time of the collision.
Another fatality that may have been weather related was reported
this morning in Durham when a tow truck ran off the road and its driver was
killed. The Durham Police Department is investigating the cause.
In most of the state, interstates and other primary
roads are clear with some icy patches. N.C. Department of Transportation road
crews are now focused on clearing secondary two-lane and neighborhood roads
throughout the day. That effort, combined with the warmer temperatures and
sunshine, should allow road crews to clear many secondary roads before this
evening. Wet roadways will likely refreeze overnight leading to slick roads in
some locations again Saturday morning, so road crews will be back at work
Saturday where needed.
A winter weather advisory for
a large portion of the state expired early Friday afternoon. Another winter
weather advisory is likely to be reissued Friday evening since refreezing could
make travel hazardous.
Areas of the Triad and
Triangle will experience a gradual rise in temperatures Friday. More melting is
expected as temperatures will reach the mid to upper 40s in snow-covered areas
and lower 50s elsewhere. With clear skies tonight, lows will dip below freezing
again. A cycle of melting and refreezing is anticipated through the weekend.
Power outages are way down as utility workers have
worked to restore outages quickly. As of 11 a.m. there were less than 200 homes
and businesses without power, down from a peak Wednesday evening of
approximately 40,000 homes and businesses without power statewide.
A state of emergency that the Governor signed Tuesday
remains in effect, along with an executive order waiving truck weight, size and
hours of service restrictions to ease movement of heating fuel, supplies and
equipment and to allow restoration of utility services.
Across the state, approximately 75 percent of schools remained closed
Friday with several others delaying their start. The Adverse Weather Policy for
state employees remains in effect in areas impacted by the winter storm and its
lingering conditions.
More Information
Travelers are urged to go to DriveNC.gov for up-to-date roadway conditions.
Motorists are reminded NOT to call 911 or the State Highway Patrol Communication
Centers for roadway conditions. Callers can dial 211 for information about other
resources. Deaf and hard of hearing callers can reach 211 by dialing
888-892-1162.
Real-time weather and road conditions, as well as winter safety
tips, can also be found on the free ReadyNC mobile app or at ReadyNC.org.