As potentially severe winter weather pushes into the South, Gov. Pat McCrory says North Carolina is prepared to handle whatever comes our way.
McCrory declared a state of emergency lasting the next few days as ice and snow threaten to bear down on the region.
State troopers, the National Guard, and state department of transportation employees will all be on alert to push away the snow and help stranded motorists.
McCrory asked people to stay off the roads during the worst of the weather, and emphasized the state will work overtime to keep them as safe as possible.
“Crews will swiftly clear the road by pushing any vehicles in the road that may impede traffic out of the roadway to the shoulder so we don't have these large backups and have potential people stranded,” McCrory said. “So we're going to do everything we can to help with that.”
McCrory added that if residents need to drive in the next few days, they should take extra care.
At least two people – one woman in Forsyth County and one in Stokes County – have already died as a result of slick conditions Wednesday. Both were driving on snow-covered roads.
The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories and storm warnings for dozens of counties across the state, including those in the Triad.