Icy Road Conditions Make Travel Hazardous On Area Roads – (NC Highway 16 South At Wal-Mart Shown Above)
(January 25, 2013 – Taylorsville, NC) - A Winter Storm has brought a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain to Alexander County leaving an accumulation of sleet on area roadways. The Alexander County Emergency Communications Center has received numerous calls regarding the road conditions in Alexander County. Major primary roads such as US Highway 64 and NC Highway 16 have been treated by NCDOT crews with a salt and sand mixture to aid in travel, however the road conditions are still very dangerous. The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office, Taylorsville Police Department, NC Highway Patrol, and other Alexander County Emergency Services have responded to dozens of traffic accidents throughout the day due to the weather and road conditions.
Although the precipitation is forecast to end this afternoon, overnight temperatures are projected to be well below freezing. Accumulated ice and sleet that has melted during the day will likely freeze again overnight making travel very hazardous in the area.
Sheriff Bowman is encouraging everyone to stay at home during the night and travel only if absolutely necessary. If you do have to travel please make sure to allow plenty of extra time to and increase your following distance between vehicles to avoid rear-end collisions. It is also a good idea to keep an emergency roadside kit and extra food, water, and blankets or clothing in your vehicle in case you become stranded.
Please do not call the Emergency Communications Center to check road conditions as this ties up communications personnel and phone lines that are reserved for those needing immediate assistance. If you have internet access you can check road conditions online by visiting the NCDOT Travel Information site or by calling the NCDOT Travel Information Line ( 511 ). Remember if you have to travel tonight please be safe and slow down.