RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Winter weather returned to central North Carolina this week.
Gov. Josh Stein declared a State of Emergency during a Tuesday briefing.
Several weather alerts were issued for the ABC11 viewing area, including a Winter Storm Warning and Watch, and a Winter Weather Advisory.
A mixed bag, including snow, sleet, and freezing rain, developed Wednesday morning and increased into the afternoon. Precipitation will then taper off late Wednesday night. Another light batch is possible Thursday morning into the afternoon.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) sent dozens of trucks to treat roads early this week. Officials said they believe Wednesday's storm will be complex for crews and the response could be tricky. Utility crews are also on standby.
A tractor trailer overturned on I-95 near the 102 mile marker, closing all southbound lanes.
It happened around noon Wednesday. Another car was involved.
One person was injured.
According to DriveNC.gov, it will take several hours to reopen.
Governor Stein alongside emergency management officials held an emergency briefing Wednesday morning to share updates on the storm impact.
Over 1,500 crew members with the North Carolina Department of Transportation have been pre-treating the roads. In total, they have spread 3.1 million gallons on brine.
Crews have cleared out roadways of over 200 disabled vehicles, allowing easier access for snow plows. Stein said NCDOT is shifting crews to remove snow and ice.
180 National Guard members have been activated, he added, and the state's power utilities are pre-positioned to quickly restore electricity if it goes out.
Precipitation has already began falling for some in our viewing area. Several weather alerts have been issued and will last until Thursday.
Watch full briefing below:
Because of the nature of this system with a potential break in snowfall, it could impact how crews address roadways.
"Depending where you are geographically, and how much precipitation you're getting," Joey Hopkins, the transportation secretary, said, "they'll start pushing snow and sleet and ice off the road as it accumulates.
NCDOT says they are in a good position when it comes to resources such as salt, which will be needed as snow continues to fall.
N.C. Department of Transportation held a briefing Wednesday morning about preparations for the storm and plans for clearing roads.
It started at 10 a.m.
Watch the full briefing below with Maintenance Engineer Doug McNeal:
With the impending storm, people were stocking up at the grocery store and making sure they had everything they needed for a couple of days.
The weather was certainly top of mind for Durham residents on Tuesday night as they picked up last-minute groceries and got ready to hunker down with schools and so many businesses closed for the next couple of days.
"I got snacks," said Anthony Barnett. "I got chips, drink, chicken salad, fruits. Nuts. Just random things to eat."
A man named Shiva said he got some vegetables, fruit, water, and some basic necessities.
Latasha McMillan said she might make a stir-fry.
While a lot of people were stocking up on the same things ahead of the incoming winter weather - their feelings about it - were mixed.
McMillan said she didn't like snow. Shiva said he did.
And Barnett said it depends.
"When it keeps me away from work and things of that nature, of course. Yes. I do," he said.
Shiva is from Texas and was visiting his daughter in Durham. Aside from getting some food, he said they're just planning to ride it out until the weather gets better.
"I'm never prepared, but, you know, hopefully, it'll be OK," he said.
McMillan and her 4-year-old daughter Autumn on the other hand, already had plans for the day.
"We'll probably do some learning activities. Our teachers stay at home learning activities, so we won't waste the day away... "We'll enjoy the snow and do all those things," she said.
