(The Center Square) – Round two of winter weather hazards have more than 11.1 million from Murphy to Manteo braced for the second consecutive weekend.
North Carolina preparations are ongoing from the mountains to the Outer Banks. Snow accumulation, if any, will vary throughout the state. This weekend, however, is forecast more for snow than last weekend’s mix of freezing rain and ice.
The National Weather Service says the Triangle and central regions of the state could get 8-10 inches of snow; eastern North Carolina could get 8 inches or more; and the western part of the state and mountains near the Tennessee border are projected for more than 6 inches. For the state, it constitutes a storm of major significance.
An emergency has been declared by first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein on the state level and second-term Republican President Donald Trump on the federal level.
The declaration by Trump unlocks federal taxpayer dollars for things like deployment of additional generators to hospitals and shelters; emergency food, water and fuel; and support from the U.S. Forest Service to remove downed trees as needed. Stein’s declaration sets up proactive response by the National Guard, lawmen, and search and rescue teams; enables protective measures and consumer protection; enables authorities to implement curfews or area access restrictions; and enables government entities to seek state funding for recovery efforts.
The state price gouging law also remains in effect, said first-term Democratic Attorney General Jeff Jackson.
Taxpayers’ protection by the price gouging law includes no excessive charges during a crisis, such as inflated costs for a generator or other everyday goods and services. Prices can be adjusted for impact of critical events on their operations, but not to boost profits.
Taxpayers through General Assembly appropriations supply about $60 million annually for winter storms to be handled by the state Department of Transportation. The cost of brine treatments on roads is about $6 per mile; salt is $15 per mile.
The National Weather Service reports on Thursday afternoon included:
• Asheville Regional Airport: Friday night, low temperature of 16, with snow starting after 4 p.m.; Saturday, snow and a high of 19; Sunday, blowing snow before 3 p.m., sunny with a high of 21. Monday’s forecast is sunny with a high of 36.
• Charlotte/Douglas International Airport: Friday night, snow likely with a low temperature of 21; Saturday, snow with a high of 21 and wind gusts up to 31 mph; Sunday, sunny with a high near 30. Monday’s forecast is sunny with a high near 39.
• Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro: Friday night, snow after 1 a.m. with low temperature of 17; Saturday, snow (accumulation 3-5 inches) with a high of 22; Sunday, sunny and high of 28. Monday’s forecast is sunny with a high near 36.
• Raleigh-Durham International Airport: Friday night, snow likely and low temperature of 19; Saturday, snow (accumulation 3-5 inches) with high of 24; Sunday, sunny and high of 29. Monday’s forecast is sunny with a high of 36.
• Fayetteville Regional Airport: Friday night, chance of snow after 1 a.m. with a low temperature of 23; Saturday, snow (accumulation 2-4 inches) with a high of 25; Sunday, sunny with a high of 30. Monday’s forecast is sunny with a high of 36.
• Pitt-Greenville Airport: Friday night, chance of snow and low temperature of 23; Saturday, snow and a high of 24; Sunday, chance of snow before 1 p.m. with a high of 28.
• Wilmington International Airport: Friday night, chance of rain and freezing rain with low temperature of 29; Saturday, snow and at times mixed with freezing rain with a high of 39; Sunday, chance of snow before 1 p.m. with a high of 32. Monday’s forecast is sunny with a high of 38.
• Dare County Regional Airport, at Manteo on the Outer Banks: Friday night, snow likely with a low of 29; Saturday, snow mixed with rain and a high of 34; Sunday, snow likely before 1 p.m. with a high of 29. Monday’s forecast is sunny and a high of 34.
