Significant winter storm poised to enter North Carolina

“Ice accumulations of one quarter inch or more can weaken tree limbs and lead to downed power lines”.

Governor Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency at 8 a.m. Thursday.

The North Carolina Zoo will be closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday due to the upcoming storm, according to the zoo.

Winter Storm Jonas is expected to hit the East Coast hard over the next several days, and will likely leave about a half-inch of ice behind in Charlotte, making it unsafe for aircraft to land. “Then… the changeover to freezing rain may become a serious issue… especially across the southern and eastern Piedmont Friday afternoon through Friday night”.

Bush said a passenger on McCollough-Leake’s auto and two people in the pickup had minor injuries. Sgt. Joshua Church said Williams lost control of her vehicle, which went down an embankment and turned over in a creek. Along with the usual staples, she planned to get hot chocolate, “which is a necessity”, she said.

American Airlines is canceling the bulk of its flights in the Northeast ahead of a substantial winter storm, and says it’s also grounding flights at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Forecasters say snow, sleet and freezing rain is possible in the mountains of Greenville, Oconee and Pickens counties.

The patrol said speed didn’t appear to be a factor.

The state is expecting to receive its first statewide winter weather of the season this week.

McCrory also urged residents to keep watch of the forecast for this weekend’s weather.

The weather service warned that the county could see 1-4 inches of snow in addition to the ice, with snow and sleet beginning Thursday night into Friday morning.