Snow dump leaves behind dangerous cold, slick roads, closed schools | LIVE UPDATES

Gov. Josh Stein was joined by state officials Tuesday morning for a media briefing outlining the state's plans ahead of an impending winter storm.

"We've had a tough winter season in North Carolina and it's not over yet," said Stein.

The state has activated the National Guard to assist local communities across the state, including in Raleigh, as part of a broader response.

The state has activated the National Guard to local communities across the state, including in Raleigh, as part of a broader response.

"We have more than 1,300 employees and contractors conducting pre-storm preparations. As of this morning, we have used (more than) 1 million gallons of brine to pre-treat hundreds of miles of highways across the state. We also have nearly 500 trucks with plows and spreaders and 240 motor graders ready to remove snow and ice. We have 130,000 tons of salt ready to treat roads once the snow hits," said Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins.

Check closings and delays

Stein said the top two concerns are power outages and road safety. He encouraged people to stay off the roads if possible.

"Thawing and refreezing will lead to black ice. Everyone needs to be especially careful on our roads. Please avoid traveling unless it is necessary," said Stein.

The state has activated the National Guard to assist local communities across the state, including in Raleigh, as part of a broader response.

Watch the full briefing below:

Stein declared a State of Emergency during a Tuesday storm briefing

"Duke (Energy) has shared with us that they are moving crews in from out of state from a number of different locations into North Carolina. Today, they are moving crews from the west to the east and have a number of crews, which will also follow tomorrow from the western part of the state into primarily central and eastern North Carolina. And they're looking at capabilities both from a vegetation management standpoint as well as line crews to focus on restoration," said William Ray, Director of Emergency Management.

NCDOT is positioning equipment near known trouble spots and will be assisted by the State Highway Patrol and the National Guard to clear disabled vehicles from roadways.

Officials said warming shelters will open, adding people should charge their devices, and make sure they have flashlights and spare batteries ready for use.

"If your power goes out during the storm, please ensure that generators are operated outside and away from open windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Never burn charcoal indoors or use a gas grill indoors. Properly vent all kerosene heaters and make sure heaters have space around them to reduce fire risk," said Ray.

Hazardous travel conditions are expected during the next several days, even after the storm has moved out of the area.

"Our first priorities will be the interstates and other major highways, then other US and NC routes, and then secondary roads," said Hopkins.

Wake County Public School closed on Wednesday due to the potential for winter weather.

Gov. Josh Stein declared a State of Emergency during a Tuesday briefing ahead of Wednesday's expected winter storm.

"We've had a tough winter season in North Carolina and it's not over yet," said Stein.

Several weather alerts were issued for the ABC11 viewing area.

Sleet, snow, and freezing rain will pose concerns and likely affect travel until Friday. Surface temperatures are expected to rise above freezing, bringing black ice Thursday night into Friday.

The state has activated the National Guard to assist local communities across the state, including in Raleigh, as part of a broader response.

Watch the full briefing below:

Stein declared a State of Emergency during a Tuesday storm briefing

The winter storm charts its path toward the Triangle, potentially dumping significant snowfall totals in points north of Raleigh and Durham.

It's effects farther south that have energy crews on notice this week.

"If you do see yourself in that area where you're going to see a quarter of an inch or more of ice, that's a good opportunity to be mentally prepared that you could see power outages in those areas," said Jeff Brooks, spokesperson for Duke Energy.

Brooks said especially if you're in an area expected to see larger ice accumulations, have a game plan, keep important devices and medical equipment charged. If you do lose power, keep doors and blinds closed to try to retain heat.

Though ice accumulating on tree branches and limbs can create power risks, he said people should never try and trim those near power lines on their own, but hire a professional service.

"Unfortunately, we see instances sometimes where people try to go out and do, you know, a backyard project. And that's just not something that's worth putting your safety at risk for," Brooks said.

NCDOT already prepping roads for bad weather

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) sent dozens of trucks to treat roads. Officials said they believe Wednesday's storm will be complex for crews and the response could be tricky.

NCDOT said it was planning for the potential of downed trees with the expected freezing rain.

WATCH: NCDOT gives update on road prep

Full briefing from Doug McNeal, Division Maintenance Engineer for the NCDOT.

"Conceivably we'll be here going into the weekend and have week upon week of that. The staff gets tired but so far, we're in good shape. Our equipment's in good shape. our brine plants are operational and doing well, so we're ready," said NCDOT Divisional Maintenance Engineer Doug McNeal.

Meanwhile, residents have been swinging through home improvement stores to grab last-minute shovels, bags of snow melt, or winter protection items for the house.

"Lots of insulation products -- so window insulation, door insulation, weather stripping," said Westlake Ace Hardware General Manager Jair Simmons.

Crews are busy prepping roads ahead of expected snow, sleet and freezing rain.

Grocery stores are also seeing an uptick in foot traffic as people prepare for the possibility of staying inside during the storm.

"Should it get icy, I don't leave the house. I work from home, so it's good to have all the stuff," said Raleigh resident Samantha Stancill.

Another Raleigh resident, Lucretia Bell, added, "It's very annoying, something I really don't like dealing with it."

NCDOT plans to continue brining roads through Wednesday.

Crews will coat Interstate 40 in Durham and Wake counties with brine through Tuesday.

The NCDOT said it will use 250 of its trucks in response to Wednesday's storm, with 90 more on reserve if needed.

"With the freezing rain coming into the south, we'll be looking at potential downed trees, which complicates response. But fortunately, we're thinking the accumulations won't get to widespread power outages or downed trees. But we have to prepare a little bit for that, too," McNeal said.

Sleet, snow, and freezing rain will pose concerns, likely affecting travel until Friday.

How does brine work?

Brine is an anti-icing technique that's used before a winter storm.

It lowers precipitation's freezing point on the road from 32 degrees Fahrenheit to around 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

The water in the brine then evaporates, leaving salt that prevents ice from bonding to the road. Salt brine sticks to the road and isn't blown off by traffic.

If applied just before a storm, brine starts working as soon as the first snowflake falls.

WATCH | People stock up ahead of winter storm across central NC

ABC11's Sean Coffey, Elaina Athans, and Tamara Scott contributed.