‘Stay home,’ Stein tells North Carolinians in snowstorm’s path, especially on coast
With snow expected Tuesday night, Gov. Josh Stein warned people, especially on the coast, to stay off the roads and be prepared.
A winter storm warning starts at 5 p.m. for parts of Eastern North Carolina, with the heaviest snow expected across the Outer Banks, state officials said Tuesday.
Stein said “the main thing is we want folks to stay home” with supplies they need.
“Eastern North Carolina will see the greatest effects, with some counties (seeing) up to 8 inches of snow,” Stein told reporters during a news conference in Greensboro on Tuesday afternoon.
The N.C. Department of Transportation has already begun treating roads in Eastern North Carolina, he said.
He particularly urged those who live along the coast to avoid driving unless “absolutely necessary” and to monitor weather conditions before traveling.
Emergency Management Director Will Ray said that state and local emergency management personnel are ready, with 25 centers open or monitoring the weather.
Ray also said that extreme cold temperatures can be very dangerous and advised people to dress in warm layers, cover exposed skin and limit time outdoors, including for pets.
Stein also suggested people conserve power, and wait until the storm has passed before running dishwashers and washing machines.
Ray said that Duke Energy and other utilities are part of the state’s emergency response team.
Snowfall to be highest on the coast, frigid in the mountains
Ray said that the area expected to receive the greatest snowfall includes the Outer Banks and Carteret, southern Craven, Pamlico, Terrell and Hyde counties.
A winter weather advisory for counties in the east and central parts of the state begins at 4 p.m., Ray said, with snow totals of 1 to 3 inches possible.
And a cold weather advisory is in effect across the entire state until midday Wednesday.
“Wind chill values as low as 14 below zero will be possible across the mountains and single digits down to zero degrees are possible across the state tonight into tomorrow,” Ray said.
President Donald Trump plans to visit Western North Carolina on Friday. Stein said that he doesn’t know his Friday schedule yet, but would “hope to be able to see him.”
“I think that’s very good news for the people of Western North Carolina, that this issue is front of mind of the new administration,” Stein said.
.jpg)