From the mountains to portions of the coast, snowfall amounts will continue to climb and temperatures fall creating more hazardous road conditions. Governor Cooper says the reports of traffic accidents have been increasing throughout the day and he continues to encourage extreme caution for those who must venture out.
With snow falling across North Carolina most of the day, Governor Cooper is reminding everyone to be cautious, and stay off the roads as much as possible.
"This snow storm may be moving a little slower than we thought, but that means its impacts on North Carolina will likely be even greater," Gov. Cooper said. "The snow is pretty, but it can be dangerous. If you don't have to brave the roads, please don't."
State troopers had responded to more than 700 service calls, including more than 500 crashes, as of this morning.
The State Emergency Response Team has activated the Joint Information Center in response to the winter storm impacting most of the state.
Located in the State Emergency Operations Center at 1636 Gold Star Drive in Raleigh, the JIC will coordinate the release of information regarding state storm preparation and response. Individuals are on duty to gather the latest information and assist reporters interested in covering the state’s response to the storm. Additionally, state officials will use this center to conduct media briefings as needed.
As North Carolina braces for a second widespread winter storm in less than a month, Governor Roy Cooper today declared a state of emergency and urged North Carolinians to stay off the roads when travel becomes dangerous.
“Nearly all of North Carolina will be impacted by this winter storm, and we’re making sure North Carolina is ready,” Gov. Cooper said. “I urge all of our residents to be prepared and to stay safe.”
Road conditions on major interstates and highways in North Carolina are greatly improved today and Department of Transportation crews have turned their attention to clearing secondary roads, but there are still many patches of black ice and drivers should continue to be cautious, Governor Roy Cooper advised.
A strong winter storm moved quickly through North Carolina Wednesday night into Thursday, leaving three deaths, significant snow, and scattered power outages, Governor Roy Cooper said Thursday. While the snow will end by mid-day, bitterly cold temperatures will remain through the weekend, and refreezing will make it difficult to clear roads.
State officials are preparing for North Carolina’s first winter storm of 2018 and people in areas that could see snow are encouraged to do the same, Governor Roy Cooper said Tuesday.
A winter storm watch begins Wednesday for many eastern North Carolina counties and snowfall is expected across the coastal plain on Wednesday afternoon and night. Bitter cold air from an arctic high pressure system means temperatures statewide are expected to average well below normal for the rest of the week.
State emergency and transportation officials are closely monitoring weather and road conditions, and are ready to respond if needed as North Carolina receives the season’s first blast of winter weather, Governor Roy Cooper said Friday.
Governor Roy Cooper today announced that financial assistance is available through the U.S. Small Business Administration for residents affected by storms that struck Watauga and surrounding counties last month. This SBA disaster declaration makes low-interest loans available to home and business owners and renters in those areas. Governor Cooper requested this federal assistance in a letter to the SBA last week.
Cleanup and damage assessment work continues in several western North Carolina counties after Monday’s strong storms and tornadoes.
One person died this morning during that cleanup work. A 31-year-old tree service contractor for a utility company was killed early Wednesday morning while working to clear a tree from a power line in Alexander County. The worker was crushed when the tree snapped back and fell on him.