N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson speaks during a press conference at the state's Emergency Operations Center on Friday.
RALEIGH – As the year’s first big winter storm approaches, state officials want North Carolinians to pay close attention to the weather and avoid traveling once the storm hits.
The winter storm packing snow, sleet and freezing rain is forecast to impact the state’s mountains in the west starting early Saturday and exiting eastern parts of the state sometime late Sunday.
“We expect this storm and incoming cold weather to impact travel significantly over the next several days,” said State Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson. “Once the storm clears, we’re prepared to work around the clock to plow and treat snow and ice until the roads are clear. But people need to stay home and stay safe until then. Cars and icy roads simply don’t mix.”
Immediate Towing Measures Activated
On Friday morning, NCDOT and the State Highway Patrol activated immediate towing measures for the entire state. This allows for expedited removal of any disabled or abandoned vehicles from the roads or shoulders.
“Removing vehicles ahead of and during the storm makes clearing the roads of snow and ice easier and eliminates a danger to the traveling public,” Johnson said.
Messages about the immediate towing measure have been posted along digital highway signs statewide. For the immediate towing, crews will focus on highways and primary routes. NCDOT and the SHP will lift these measures when they determine it is safe to do so.
Pre-Storm Operations Nearly Complete
Most of NCDOT’s 2,100 employees trained to respond to large storms have contributed to the storm effort. As of Friday afternoon, crews and contractors have applied more than 3.2 million gallons of brine to state-maintained roads and are nearly complete with pre-storm preparations.
Today, crews will be transitioning their focus and readying their trucks and equipment so they can start clearing roads once the storm hits this weekend.
The agency has sufficient salt supplies with about 160,000 tons stored and is securing additional supplies should they be needed.
“I encourage everyone to stay informed, make safe decisions about travel and ensure you have all the supplies you need in case this ends up being a long-term event,” Johnson said.
For real-time travel information, visit
DriveNC.gov or follow
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