- “People should not attempt to drive in these conditions,” said State Transportation Secretary J. Eric Boyette. “Our crews are working around the clock to treat and clear roads as quickly as possible and we need everyone else to do their part and stay off the roads.”
On Monday morning, Duke Energy reports 34,278 customers statewide without power following the ice storm that swept across the state. The NC Highway Patrol reports more than 600 crashes on the state’s roads over the weekend.
On Sunday, Gov. Josh Stein warned that North Carolina faces continued dangerous conditions as bitter cold temperatures remain across much of the state.
Stein delivered the update during a briefing with state emergency and transportation officials, urging residents to stay off the roads and prepare for extended power outages as freezing rain and subfreezing temperatures persist into the week.
“North Carolina: we are not out of the woods yet,” Stein said. “Freezing rain today and bitter cold in the coming days will continue to bring dangerous road conditions and power outages. Please stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.”
Stein was joined by Department of Public Safety Secretary Jeff Smythe, Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson, Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai, Emergency Management Director Will Ray, State Highway Patrol Col. Freddy Johnson, and Maj. Gen. Todd Hunt of the North Carolina National Guard.
The update comes after President Donald Trump approved Stein’s request for an Emergency Declaration, unlocking federal resources to support storm response efforts. The declaration allows the state to access federal assistance for emergency protective actions, including deploying generators to critical facilities such as hospitals, supporting shelter operations, providing emergency food, water, and fuel, and receiving help from the US Forest Service to clear downed trees.
Snow, sleet, and freezing rain have been reported statewide since Saturday night. An Ice Storm Warning remains in effect for parts of the southern mountains and southwest Piedmont through midday Monday, while Winter Storm Warnings continue for the northern mountains, central North Carolina, and northern Coastal Plain. Winter Weather Advisories remain in place across eastern North Carolina and the Sandhills.
Emergency officials said ice accumulation poses the greatest threat, with forecasters warning of dangerously cold temperatures. Lows could dip into the single digits Monday night and remain in the teens and 20s through much of the week.
“It is important that all North Carolinians in communities impacted by wintry precipitation stay home and off the roadways today and into tomorrow,” Emergency Management Director Will Ray said. “We will see additional freezing rain and impacts, like power outages, so please do not let your guard down.”
Stein declared a State of Emergency earlier in the week as the storm approached, activating the State Emergency Response Team to assist local governments and utilities. The response team was mobilized ahead of the storm’s arrival Saturday.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation reported that crews have been working around the clock since Saturday, spreading salt and sand and pre-treating roads with nearly 4 million gallons of brine before the storm hit. Crews are prioritizing interstates before moving to primary and secondary roads and are also removing downed trees and coordinating with utilities where power lines are involved.
State officials encouraged residents to check DriveNC.gov for road conditions and ReadyNC.gov for winter weather preparedness information as the storm continues to impact much of North Carolina.