Raleigh, North Carolina – For the night of this Wednesday power cuts, trees and power lines are expected to fall in several sectors of North Carolina, due to an ice storm.
The inhabitants of the state must prepare for the strong possibility of power outages during the next few hours.
“People need to be prepared to stay home and lose power for a time, especially in northern, western and Piedmont counties,” Governor Roy Cooper said.
Gov. Cooper has issued a State of Emergency in preparation of an incoming ice storm that’s expected to cause power outages and fallen trees across the state. North Carolinians should stay in their homes and be prepared to lose power. https://t.co/Gscy2z9LXQ pic.twitter.com/ZKHEK9Skrp
— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) February 17, 2021
Sectors at risk
North and west areas could experience between a quarter and a half inch of ice, and even more.
Power outages are common with as little as a quarter inch of ice on trees and power lines.
Executive order
Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order on Wednesday declaring a state of emergency, while allowing transportation exemptions.
The exceptions will allow utility companies to bring in repair crews from out of state, and gain faster access to places that lost power.
Cooper authorized the activation of 40 members of the National Guard to support the removal of fallen trees and debris.
Ice Storm: Take Care
State transportation officials warned that unnecessary overnight travel should be avoided Wednesday and Thursday, primarily across much of the western and central parts of the state.
This, due to the danger posed by road ice and falling trees.
State officials build bridges, overpasses, and other infrastructure in some areas.
As of 11:00 am on February 17, some 30,000 gallons of brine had been placed on highways in the Triangle, Charlotte, and the mountains.
Crews will work through the night with the goal of clearing roads, as needed.
For its part, the Duke Energy company foresees at least that 1 million homes may lose the electrical siministeo.
The North Carolina Emergency Management monitors the storm’s progress, while offering the following recommendations:
- Be prepared for power outages by making sure you have a multi-day supply of food, medicine and water.
- Make sure your cell phone and other electronic or medical devices are fully charged, along with backup batteries.
- Do not park your car under trees or power lines.
- Use battery-operated lights, instead of candles, if the power goes out.
- Avoid running generators or grills in your home or garage if the power goes out. Deadly carbon monoxide fumes can build up when using generators or grills indoors.
For more information on how to prepare for winter weather, you can visit this site.