UPDATE- Thursday 3:45 p.m.: Anson County schools will be closed for students and staff on Friday due to the winter storm predictions, the school system announced via its social media accounts Thursday afternoon. The school office said via Facebook that superintendent Michael Freeman will provide more information on Thursday afternoon along with the Blackboard ConnectEd Message.
“I hope you will have ample time to make arrangements for your child to be appropriately monitored as our area may experience power outages due to this weather event,” Freeman said via Twitter. “Please stock your home with food that does not require preparation and extra blankets for children to use. Also, please be extremely safe due to the dangerous conditions that could result due to ice accumulation.”
No after-school and evening events for Thursday are affected by the closure.
Those in the western half of Anson County may see up to three-quarters of an inch of ice Thursday night through Friday.
The National Weather Service issued an update at 6 a.m. Thursday saying that Anson County is expected to receive a quarter-inch to half-inch of ice, though the western part of the county could see a half-inch to three-quarter inches, from Thursday night until 6 p.m. Friday. The county is under both a winter storm warning and a hazardous weather outlook.
The NWS updated its winter storm warning at 10:44 a.m. Thursday, saying that the storm will likely affect the central part of the state from Thursday night until 6 p.m. Saturday.
The weather service warned that the county could see 1-4 inches of snow in addition to the ice, with snow and sleet beginning Thursday night into Friday morning. Thursday will have a low of 30 degrees while Friday’s high will be only 34 degrees, with a low of 31 degrees that night.
By Friday afternoon, forecasters expect the county will mostly see freezing rain through that night.
“Roads are expected to become snow and ice-covered early Friday, creating hazardous travel conditions,” the weather service said. “Then… the changeover to freezing rain may become a serious issue… especially across the southern and eastern Piedmont Friday afternoon through Friday night.”
As of 12:35 p.m Thursday, predictions showed a 40 percent chance of a wintry mix on Saturday, followed by a 40 percent chance of snow. The high on Saturday will be about 35 degrees, while the low that night will be 27 degrees.
The weather service said there may be downed trees and power lines due to the storm, which could bring 10-15 mph winds on Friday and 15-25 mph winds Friday night and Saturday.
The statement urged residents to travel only in emergencies and to keep a flashlight, food and water both in their cars and in their house to be prepared.
Hugh James, public services director for the town of Wadesboro, said Thursday that officials were preparing for the storm, but that the town will not salt the majority of the streets.
“We’re putting on snow tires, and we will salt some areas that we have known to ice up, some hillsides and the bridges, but typically, no, we don’t salt the streets,” James said. “We are getting prepared, but at this point in time, we don’t have any idea what it’s going to be.”
James said that if it rains first, the salt could be washed away, but “it’s a chance we take.” He estimated that the town would put snow chains on its police cars on Friday, depending on the storm.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
Gov. Pat McCrory declared a state of emergency on Thursday morning.
“Given the snow and ice accumulations that are predicted, combined with gusty winds and already saturated grounds, this storm has serious potential,” McCrory said in a statement. “Ice accumulations of one-quarter inch or more can weaken tree limbs and lead to downed power lines. Needless to say, we’re watching this storm very carefully.”
The governor’s office reported that two people died in weather-related crashes in Forsyth and Stokes counties. Some areas in the mountains received 2-4 inches of snow on Wednesday and could get 8-18 inches more with this winter storm.
“As we’ve already seen, these conditions can be treacherous,” Department of Public Safety Secretary Frank Perry said. “If you can stay off the roads when the frozen precipitation begins, please do. If you must be out, we can’t overemphasize the importance of following safe driving tips.”
“Our state agencies are ready for this winter storm,” North Carolina Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry said. “We need North Carolinians to partner with us in storm preparation by getting their emergency supply kits together, fueling their vehicles and gathering needed heating supplies.”
Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.