North Raleigh Today

Governor Josh Stein, alongside the State Emergency Response Team, provided updates on the winter weather conditions affecting North Carolina. He urged residents to monitor local forecasts and avoid travel due to hazardous road conditions.

"As winter weather continues today, we are doing everything we can to keep North Carolinians safe and respond to the effects of the storm," said Governor Josh Stein. "Frigid temperatures and wet roads are making travel dangerous, resulting in one tragic fatality. Please stay off the roads if you can. If you need help, reach out to your county’s emergency operations center or the North Carolina Disaster Case Management hotline. Please stay safe and check on your neighbors to ensure that they’re safe too."

As of noon, there were approximately 6,105 power outages across the state, primarily in eastern communities affected by ice. The State Emergency Response Team is active in supporting local responders and energy providers. The NC National Guard has deployed 188 guardsmen with 60 vehicles in central and eastern regions for roadway assistance.

The NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) advised against unnecessary travel due to treacherous snow-and-ice-covered roads. Numerous crashes have been reported, including a confirmed fatality from loss of vehicle control.

Since Wednesday morning's snowfall, NCDOT crews have been clearing roads using over 2,200 trucks and motor graders operated by more than 2,300 employees and contractors. More than 12,650 tons of salt have been used for road treatment.

NCDOT's cut and shove teams are working on removing debris and fallen trees while coordinating with utility partners on downed power lines. Priority is given to interstates followed by US and NC routes before secondary roads.

"Our crews are working around the clock to clear roads across the state and will not stop until the job is done," stated NCDOT Secretary Joey Hopkins. "The snow and ice dumped on our state have left many roads too dangerous for travel. If you don’t need to be on the roads, please stay home and stay safe."

Significant thawing is not expected until Friday afternoon when temperatures rise above freezing; road conditions will remain perilous during mornings due to overnight freezes. Residents should consult DriveNC.gov for real-time travel updates before venturing out.

For details on power outages or preparation tips for ongoing winter weather, resources are available online.

Hurricane Helene disaster survivors can contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 as physical Disaster Recovery Centers remain closed today due to weather conditions.

The North Carolina Disaster Case Management Program (NC-DCM) continues support for Helene survivors through 1-844-746-2326 or online access. To date, NC-DCM has processed applications from 2,143 survivors with over 5,676 calls handled for various needs such as housing and financial assistance.