Areas east of Triangle see more snow, slick roads

Snow accumulated up to 4 inches or more in some parts of Rocky Mount, Roanoke Rapids, Wilson and other communities along the I-95 corridor.

Posted 12:34 p.m. Jan 22, 2014 — Updated 5:44 p.m. Jan 22, 2014

RALEIGH, N.C. — Communities that saw the most snow Tuesday into Wednesday also dealt with the worst road conditions Wednesday morning. Viewers in parts of Rocky Mount, Roanoke Rapids, Wilson and other communities along the I-95 corridor reported that surface streets were covered with snow.

Snow accumulated up to 4 inches or more in some parts. The National Weather Service at 9:30 a.m. extended the winter weather advisory until noon for Halifax, Nash, Edgecombe and Wilson counties, and some communities were still seeing flakes long after the bulk of a snow-bearing front had passed.

The State Highway Patrol closed Interstate 95 northbound in Wilson County at milemarker 119, near Interstate 795, for a couple of hours Wednesday morning after a wreck involving a tractor-trailer.

The truck was headed south on I-95 when it swerved into the northbound lanes and off the road, witnesses said. The driver was taken to Pitt Hospital. Troopers did not release his name or condition.

Traffic was detoured onto the collector lane for the I-795/U.S. 264 exit to get vehicles past the crash scene and back onto I-95 North.

In Nash County, power lines were down along N.C. Highway 43 near Red Oak. While crews cleared up the mess, traffic was diverted.

Person County authorities were dealing with two weather-related accidents – on Helena-Moriah Road near Morris Neal and on Gordonton Road. Officials there said they had many reports of icy roads.

Nashville and Spring Hope also reported secondary roads iced over.

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Temperatures will stay below freezing through the day Wednesday, leaving the possibility for ice to form throughout the day.

"If it looks wet, assume it's frozen," said WRAL traffic reporter Brian Shrader.

Many school systems to the east of the Triangle canceled classes Wednesday due to the chance for slick roads. The complete list of area closings and delays numbered in the hundreds.

Winter driving tips

The State Highway Patrol advised drivers to avoid being on the roads if possible.

If you must drive in ice and snow, take these precautions:

Make sure your battery and cellphone are fully charged
Fill your gas tank
Pack bottled water and a blanket in the trunk

While on the road, slow down when roads are slick. Other driving tips:

Increase your following distance. You should allow about four car lengths for every 10 mph
Drive slower than the posted speed limit
Don't use cruise control
Stay in cleared lanes, or follow in the tracks of other vehicles where possible
Don't try to change lanes

If your car starts to skid:

Let your foot off the gas
Don't slam on the brakes
Steer into the skid
Get to a safe place
If you get stuck, turn on your flashers so rescue and emergency crews can find and help you.

Throughout the day Tuesday, North Carolina Department of Transportation crews spread salt brine – a mix of salt and water used to inhibit ice from adhering to road surfaces. Crews were on standby to spread more salt and sand to help with traction on major roads.

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