Following this week’s snowstorm in eastern North Carolina, Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck is urging drivers to remain cautious as snow and ice begin to melt. While main roads have been cleared, secondary roads remain hazardous, especially at night when refreezing can occur.
Sheriff Buck emphasized the importance of vigilance, warning drivers not to assume secondary roads are as safe as main roads. “When the sun goes down, you may be in for a surprise if you drive secondary roads as fast as main roads,” he said.
Garret Wise, a pipe layer repairing a broken pipe in New Bern, shared his experience of encountering treacherous conditions while driving from Aurora. Despite having a four-wheel-drive vehicle, Wise said he slid off the road Friday morning, highlighting the ongoing risks posed by icy conditions.
The storm led to over 47 accidents in Carteret County since Tuesday evening, but Sheriff Buck reported no serious injuries. Emergency responders were able to reach all areas safely, and there were no delays in attending to calls. “Neither rescue squads nor law enforcement were prevented from reaching an area, and all calls were responded to,” Buck said.
In Craven County, Major McFadyen of the sheriff’s office noted that residents heeded warnings to stay off the roads, significantly reducing the number of emergency calls. “Folks stayed home, and that certainly helped cut down the response numbers,” McFadyen said.
Meanwhile, crews from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) continue clearing secondary roads. Many residents, including Wise, expressed gratitude for their efforts. “The DOT has done a wonderful job keeping the roads clear and allowing us to get to and from,” Wise said.
Sheriff Buck and Major McFadyen both urged drivers to remain cautious, particularly at night when melting snow and ice can refreeze, creating dangerous conditions. They emphasized the need for reduced speeds and heightened awareness on all roads until conditions fully improve.
