Charlotte, NC Faces Aftermath of Winter Storm
On Saturday, the beautiful city of Charlotte woke up to a reminder that winter is well and truly here. After experiencing a winter storm that hit on Friday, many residents were still wrestling with power outages and icy roads. The storm initially brought a light blanket of snow before transitioning into sleet and freezing rain, making conditions quite treacherous.
Power Outages and Restoration Efforts
According to reports, the winter storm knocked out power to around 54,000 Duke Energy customers in the Carolinas, primarily due to fallen trees that took down power lines. Fortunately, crews worked diligently throughout the night, restoring power to approximately 37,000 customers. By the time the clock struck noon on Saturday, the outages had diminished significantly, with only 2,000 customers in Mecklenburg County still without power, a figure that swiftly dropped to 675 by mid-afternoon.
Watch Out for Black Ice!
Despite the efforts to restore electricity, it wasn’t just the lack of power that had residents on edge; the icy roads were particularly concerning. The National Weather Service issued warnings about black ice, stating that the temperature stayed below freezing overnight. This potentially hazardous condition made driving dangerous, prompting meteorologists to advise caution for anyone who had to go out. They reminded folks to “slow down and leave plenty of room in front of you.”
Travel Woes for Charlotte Douglas International Airport
For those flying in or out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the winter weather created chaos, with reports indicating that over 227 flights were canceled and 234 were delayed by early afternoon on Saturday. Friday alone saw 730 flights cancelations. Thankfully, the airport remained operational throughout the storm, which is a silver lining for anxious travelers.
Snow and Sleet Totals
The weather didn’t quite deliver what we might have expected; snow totals were less than anticipated, with the area seeing just about half an inch of snow and sleet. Ice accumulation varied across the region, with the airport measuring one-tenth of an inch and areas near Gastonia registering nearly two-tenths of an inch. But, despite the lower snowfall, it was enough to cause quite a stir in the community.
Emergency Services Stepped Up
Governor Josh Stein expressed gratitude towards first responders and the N.C. Department of Transportation for their tireless efforts during the storm. By midday Saturday, crews had applied an impressive 36,000 tons of salt statewide to help keep roads navigable. Nevertheless, emergency services reported responding to over 1,500 storm-related accidents, indicating just how much havoc the weather wreaked on local travel.
Advice for Residents
As evening rolled in, temperatures were predicted to plummet again, raising concerns about lingering ice. Emergency Management officials urged residents to stay home unless absolutely necessary. “Please use caution if you have to be out on the road, or delay travel until temperatures warm,” they advised.
Local Updates and Community Efforts
In light of the storm, community services have also stepped up. Mecklenburg County parks were slated to open at noon on Sunday, and Charlotte’s homeless shelters expanded capacities to ensure everyone had a warm place to stay during the cold snap. CATS, the city’s transit system, will be providing free rides to those in need of shelter.
Looking Ahead
As Charlotte residents begin to dig out and warm up, the forecast shows a high of 41 degrees for Saturday, which should help with melting the ice. However, the overnight temperatures will remain chilly, prompting everyone to stay safe and vigilant on the roads. With a little patience and a hearty community spirit, the city will weather this winter storm together.
