RALEIGH – The rare combination of heavy winds with significant snowfall is another reason people should avoid travel this weekend, state officials said Friday.
“Rarely do we see a storm like this one where tropical storm force winds and snow hit our state at the same time,” said State Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson. “These extreme winds could make it unsafe in some places for anyone to drive, which along with the major snowfall and cold conditions is one more reason to stay put. Even our crews may need to pause salting and plowing operations this weekend if it’s too windy.”
N.C. Department of Transportation crews had spread more than 3.2 million gallons of brine on state roads before wrapping up operations Friday afternoon. The saltwater solution helps keep ice from forming on roads. As they did for last weekend’s weather, crews will get some rest and then be ready to start working on roads around the clock after the storm hits.
But for their safety, NCDOT personnel may need to pause operations and seek shelter if sustained winds reach 35 mph, according to the agency’s policy. Strong winds can push heavy trucks from the road.
“Safety is our top priority and we need to do everything we can to keep the public and our employees out of harm’s way,” Johnson said.
Weather forecasts are calling for sustained winds this weekend in areas of eastern North Carolina and along the coast that could exceed 35 mph and wind gusts between 40 mph and 70 mph on the Outer Banks.
NCDOT is also preparing for the possibility that heavy winds could bring about oceanside and soundside storm surge and flooding of coastal roads like N.C. 12 on the Outer Banks. As such, the agency has staged heavy equipment and other resources in well-known trouble spots such as low-lying roads in the New Bern area.
The agency uses a combination of trucks equipped with spreaders and plows, as well as motor graders to remove snow and ice from roads. In addition, staff are positioning chainsaw crews in spots where winds could bring down trees, to expedite tree-removal operations and allow NCDOT to assist utility workers when trees take down power lines.
Crews wrapped up their brining efforts on Friday so they could regroup. Once the storm hits, NCDOT plans to start salting and plowing roads. In keeping with its snow-clearing policy, the agency will work to clear interstates and major highways first before moving on to other well-traveled roads in the state’s 81,000-mile road network.
Other travel services impacted
The coming storm is already impacting some of NCDOT's other services.
NC By Train, the state’s passenger rail service, will operate on a reduced schedule on Saturday. People can visit Amtrak.com for schedule updates.
The NCDOT Ferry Division scheduled its last departures to and from Ocracoke Island until the storm has passed. Most of the last vessels will take folks from Ocracoke to Swan Quarter, Cedar Island or Hatteras Friday afternoon, with one ferry departing Ocracoke in the pre-dawn hours on Saturday. The Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach ferry route also suspended operations Friday afternoon due to inclement weather and will alert people when they resume service.
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles driver license offices are likely to experience delayed openings or temporary closures due to the inclement weather. Check the status of an office on the NCDMV’s website. NCDMV is reaching out to customers with appointments early next week to give them the option of rescheduling for a later date. Customers will also have their appointments honored later in the week if they are unable to make it to their appointment because of road conditions.
NCDOT’s Division of Aviation is monitoring the storm’s potential impacts across the state and coordinating with public airports and emergency management partners to support preparedness and response efforts.
For the latest travel conditions and other transportation information, please visit DriveNC.gov and NCDOT's social media platforms.