Winter storm hits Central North Carolina, bringing ice and sleet

For the fourth day this week, Orange County Schools will have remote learning on Thursday.

The district said its transportation team is visually checking roads in the morning and evening. It found that "many important routes" in the county are still unsafe for travel, with temperatures expected to remain below freezing until Thursday afternoon.

The operations team is busy working to prepare campuses to reopen safely.

A decision has not been made about classes on Friday.

Warren County Schools

Warren County Schools will hold remote learning on Thursday, citing ongoing unsafe conditions on secondary roads in parts of the district.

A cold weather advisory is in place for some eastern counties.

The advisory is in place from Thursday at 1 a.m. until 10 a.m.

It covers Halifax, Nash, and Edgecombe counties.

Winter weather is leading to an even greater shortage in the blood supply.

The American Red Cross reports 200 blood drives were canceled nationwide and more than 7,000 blood and platelet donations went uncollected.

The Red Cross says there's a serious shortage of platelets and certain types of blood and without immediate action people who rely on transfusions could be at serious risk.

The organization is offering a gift card to anybody who gives blood before the end of February.

The organization is offering a gift card to anybody who gives blood before the end of February.

Doctors and first responders are warning about the dangers of icy conditions.

Hospitals say they are treating patients injured during the winter storm.

Duke Health seeing more people for slip and fall injuries.

Doctors at UNC Health and WakeMed say they have treated a number of children for sledding related injuries.

That includes broken bones, concussions, and some internal injuries all from sledding.

"The kids are not able to stop those sleds whatsoever. You know, when you have snow, you can actually put your feet in the snow, it causes some friction. There's no friction whatsoever with ice," said Dr. Daniel Park.

First responders also urging people not to walk on frozen bodies of water.

Thick ice does not form on lakes and ponds in North Carolina.

And taking the wrong step could result in a life-threatening situation.

Hospitals say they are treating patients injured during the winter storm.