RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — During a deep freeze followed by snow Tuesday, the North Carolina Department of Transportation dispatched some 300 snowplows throughout central North Carolina.
The snowplows were dispatched after salt-brining trucks completed pre-treating roads and bridges across seven counties, including Wake, Durham, Person, Granville, Franklin, Vance, and Warren counties, up to the Virginia state line. Some areas felt the coldest temperatures in two years as they dropped into the teens.
"Right now, we're thinking an inch to an inch and a half [of snow]," said NCDOT spokesperson Doug McNeal during a Tuesday morning news conference at the Raleigh maintenance yard where trucks are dispatched. "We're going to stick with the snow plow trucks on the initial response."
The salt-brining trucks were tasked with reducing the threat of black ice by applying the mixture to be most effective before temperatures drop below 18 degrees. McNeal called the salt brine probably the biggest improvement over the last 25 years, which is good news for drivers who were gassing up and gearing up for the artic blast.
NCDOT urges drivers to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
Motorist Quinton Walters of Raleigh said he planned to be out on the roads for work, but not afterwards.
As she gassed up in Raleigh to drive home some 90 miles to Lumberton, motorist Karen Rosales said, "I'm scared to drive on the snow."
NCDOT also put another 50 pieces of equipment in reserve in case it's needed for tackling roads and bridges, depending on what the winter weather decides to do next.
"I see [NCDOT] clearing it and putting some salt down, making sure it's safe for drivers," said motorist William Dunn of Raleigh.
NCDOT crews could be rerouted from central North to tackle roads and bridges in eastern areas.
"I know crews as far west as Asheville and Shelby are preparing to send folks east if we need to," McNeil said. "It's a pretty remarkable storm. I can't say I've seen one of these in a long time where the east gets more snow than the west. In talking with some of my counterparts out west, they're ready to respond and help out like we've helped them out in the hurricane."
NCDOT plans to monitor the weather overnight and adjust treatment plans as needed.
"After 1 p.m., we'll know what we have to work with," McNeil said. "We'll start making plans to clear. Overall, the operations have gone smooth and we're just getting ready for the next piece of this, the next part of the response."