North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency Tuesday ahead of an approaching winter storm, urging residents to prepare for hazardous conditions expected Wednesday.
“This morning, I declared a state of emergency across North Carolina, and we are activating a cross-agency storm response,” said Governor Josh Stein in a press release. “Most of North Carolina will be impacted by this storm, and our greatest concerns are potential power outages and road safety. We urge all travelers to stay off the road once the storm hits on Wednesday, to keep their devices charged, and to monitor local weather.”
Due to the forecast, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will shift to remote learning Wednesday, with all extracurricular activities, facility use, athletics, and enrichment programs canceled. Testing will resume when schools reopen.
The storm is expected to bring ice, snow, sleet, and rain across parts of the Carolinas. Central and eastern North Carolina could see ice accumulations exceeding a quarter inch, potentially causing power outages and tree damage.
In response to the State of Emergency Declaration, the NC National Guard has activated 180 guardsmen to help the 1,500 NCDOT workers in pre-treating roads in preparation of the ice and snow.
