NCDOT crews will return to the roads Friday to continue laying out a brine mixture designed to help the roads resist freezing up. The work began Thursday and will continue through Saturday.
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Interstates and other heavily traveled roads will get the most attention, but like other industries, NCDOT is having to figure out how to do the same amount of work with a shortage of workers.
NCDOT is not immune to COVID-19 staff shortages. The agency said it is supplementing workers who are sick or quarantining in order to make sure it gets all the necessary roads in the area treated ahead of the winter storm.
"With this storm, there is a possibility that we may not be able to respond as quickly as in previous storms due to COVID impacts to staffing and the staffing of our contractors," Marty Homan, a representative for NC DOT, said.
While NCDOT is preparing the roads to keep them as safe as possible, you should still consider canceling your travel plans for Sunday and possibly even Monday morning.
Here's a checklist for your car if you need to drive in winter weather
While drivers are strongly discouraged from getting on the roads, if you absolutely have to drive Sunday or Monday, AAA offered some helpful tips to keep people safe:
- Check your car battery in case you get stuck somewhere
- Fill your gas tank
- Check your tires to make sure they are filled to an appropriate level and have good tread
AAA also recommends keeping an emergency kit in the car with a full water bottle, snacks, an extra layer of warm clothing and a blanket to keep you warm.
Flurry of prep continues for winter storm
Here's a checklist of some things you should make sure you have in stock in your home:
- Necessary medications
- Flashlights, batteries, blankets
- Fully charged phones, tablets, laptops
- Fuel for cars, generators, chainsaws and other power equipment
Public Hardware in Durham said it has seen people coming in all week to stock up on different supplies. The store said it has sold about a pallet and a half of salt and lots of snow shovels.
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While you're making your plan to stay safe, make sure you plan for your furry family members. They need a warm place to stay and water that will not freeze.
CLOSINGS
Due to the possible inclement weather, some schools and businesses may decide to close. You can check up-to-date closings here.
If you are in charge of closings for a school of business, the only way to report your organization's closing or delay to ABC11 is by using our online system. The phone system that was used in the past is not operational. Your ID code from the phone system remains the same and it also serves as your Pass Code into the online system.
If you would like to register your organization with ABC11, please email the following information to closingcenter@abc11mail.com. Please do not mail closing information to this email address.
Organization Name:
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Type of Organization: (school, church, business, day care, government office)
Mailing Address:
Organization's Phone Number:
Contact Person:
Contact's Email:
Contact's Mobile Phone: