Motorists Urged To Stay Off Roads As NC Declares Emergency

CHARLOTTE, NC -- The entire state of North Carolina is under a state of emergency Tuesday night as snow and hazardous traveling conditions are predicted to reach just about every corner of the state through early Thursday, according to the governor.

Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency for the entire state Jan. 16 in preparation for the winter storm expected to bring at least one to two inches of snow throughout the Tar Heel state, with some areas expecting as much as six inches.

A Winter Weather Advisory will go into effect for the Charlotte and Lake Norman regions at 10 p.m. Jan. 16 when a fast moving front is expected to descend on the region, and will stay in effect through noon Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.

The winter weather is expected to produce up to 2-inches of snow along Interstate 77 and will likely snarl Wednesday morning commutes, forecasters said.

"Temperatures will fall off quickly as the front passes," and precipitation will likely begin as rain, later changing to light snow, NWS said. "Although the amount of snow will be light, generally on the order of 1-2 inches over the mountains and the I-77 corridor, and an inch or less elsewhere, the cold temperatures may allow the snow to stick to untreated roads, resulting in numerous travel problems on untreated roads early Wednesday, including the morning rush hour."

The snow should end by midday Wednesday, according to NWS.

“Nearly all of North Carolina will be impacted by this winter storm, and we’re making sure North Carolina is ready,” Cooper said. “I urge all of our residents to be prepared and to stay safe.”

The state of emergency declaration will allow emergency management to assist with response, and triggers a state law preventing excessive charging during an emergency, Cooper said.

State officials are asking North Carolina drivers to stay off the roads when they become dangerous.

“Unnecessary travel not only puts you at risk, but it can also put our first responders’ lives at risk if you end up needing help,” Cooper said. “And the more vehicles we have on the road, the tougher it is for our DOT crews to treat and clear those roads and get them open again.”

SEE ALSO: Winter Weather Advisory Issued For Charlotte: What To Know

North Carolina will activate the State Emergency Operations Center Wednesday morning to coordinate storm response throughout the impacted areas. Other storm preparations include:

• NCDOT crews have applied more than 1.7 million gallons of salt brine across roadways in 52 counties and have crews and equipment ready to clear ice and snow.
• State troopers will mark abandoned vehicles along the roadway and coordinate with local law enforcement to ensure no one is stranded.
• State troopers and transportation crews will work to clear disabled vehicles quickly so they don’t impede traffic.
• Adverse weather policy is in effect for state employees. State employees should coordinate with their supervisors.

SEE ALSO: Snow, Then 60-Degree Temperatures: Charlotte's Weekly Forecast

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