The Ice Storm Cometh

Almost all of North Carolina is now under Winter Storm Warnings. 

The warnings, issued by the National Weather Service will be in effect until 6:00 p.m. Thursday in most of the state, including the Piedmont Triad. Some areas in southeast North Carolina, such as Wilmington and New Bern will see the warning end late tonight or early tomorrow morning.  Other areas, like Beaufort and parts of the Outer Banks are under a flood watch because of heavy rains and melting snow.

Central North Carolina, though, as well as the western mountains, are gearing up for a storm that could dump as much as 6 to 10 inches of snow on the Triad, and 8 to 16 inches in the mountain communities. The real problem could be the sleet, and freezing rain, which may well create icy conditions under which power lines could come down and travel would be hazardous.  The snow is expected to start falling in earnest during the afternoon hours, and continue tonight, when it could become heavy.

On Tuesday, Governor Pat McCrory signed a Declaration of Emergency.  The declaration mandates that the governor may deploy emergency responders to take what actions may be necessary to promote safety and the security of the state's population.  At a news conference yesterday, the governor said he anticipated the coming storm will be "...one of the toughest storms we're going to see in our history.”

And Governor McCrory urged North Carolinians to "take precautions right now. Don't wait.”

With the declaration of the State of Emergency, North Carolina's price gouging law is now in effect as well.  Price gouging means charging exorbitant prices in times of crisis, and is against state law when there is an emergency declaration by the governor.