NC, SC Bracing for Ice Storm, DOT Prepping Roads

CHARLOTTE, NC — Governor Pat McCrory has declared a state of emergency for North Carolina.

State Department of Transportation crews are urging people to stay off the roads Friday as the winter storm threatens to cover North Carolina and South Carolina roads in ice.

Charlotte Department of Transportation, North Carolina DOT and South Carolina DOT have already coated the interstates and heavily traveled roads with brine solution. However, treatment crews say that will do little good as freezing rain will wash it away.

Fleets began salting in Mecklenburg County at 7:00 Thursday night. They will continue into Friday evening.

Then, they’ll bring out plows to scrape up ice into Saturday afternoon.

“Stay home,” said Lance Corporal Gary Miller with Highway Patrol. “That’s the safest thing you can do.”

North and South Carolina DPS will have extra troopers patrolling for stranded drivers.

“Let people know where you’re going, estimated time of arrival, route of travel,” said Lance Corporal Miller. “That way, if you don’t arrive, we know where to start looking for you.”

He says if you do head out, pack water and blankets in case you slide off the road and are waiting for help for several hours.