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Icy Conditions Cause Multiple Vehicle Crashes in Charlotte

Emergency responders navigating icy road conditions in Charlotte.

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News Summary

Charlotte experienced hazardous driving conditions on Thursday following a winter storm that left icy roads and multiple vehicle accidents. Firefighters responded to serious crashes, particularly on N.C. 73, while a winter weather advisory was issued. The severe weather impacted travel at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, resulting in numerous flight cancellations and delays. Authorities urged residents to stay off the roads and prepare for potential power outages as icy conditions persisted throughout the day.

Multiple Vehicle Crashes and Icy Conditions Plague Charlotte Area as Snowfall Hits

Charlotte woke up to a Winter Wonderland on Thursday, but it quickly turned into a treacherous situation as slick roads led to multiple vehicle crashes across the area. The wintry-mix storm that rolled in Wednesday left a layer of ice when temperatures plummeted, causing chaos on the roads.

Icy Roads Lead to Crashes

Things really took a turn for the worse around 9 a.m. when firefighters in Huntersville were forced to close N.C. 73 near Duke Energy’s McGuire Nuclear Station to rescue someone involved in a serious multi-vehicle crash. Fire officials were quite clear in their description; the N.C. 73 bridge over the Catawba River was labeled as “VERY ICY”, with a strong recommendation for everyone to stay clear of that area.

Emergency responders reported that five people were transported to nearby hospitals after the N.C. 73 incident, making it one of the busiest mornings for the medical teams. Within just two hours, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., a total of six accidents were attended by MEDIC, highlighting the hazardous driving conditions.

If that wasn’t enough, shortly after the incident on N.C. 73, another crash was reported on the Alexandriana Road bridge over Interstate 77, though thankfully, there were no injuries linked to that accident. A minor injury was reported from a crash on the Brookshire Freeway/N.C. 16 Mountain Island Lake bridge, but overall, it was clear that the morning commute had turned into a real challenge for many.

Winter Weather Wreaks Havoc

The source of the trouble? A wintry-mix storm that swept through the area, leaving icy conditions from Charlotte all the way to surrounding counties. Temperatures fell drastically, with some regions seeing nighttime lows dipping to 20 degrees below normal. Charlotte recorded lows in the teens and 20s, while mountain counties even braved single-digit temperatures, with wind chills plunging below zero.

Charlotte was placed under a winter weather advisory until noon, following a state of emergency declared by local authorities. In response, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools swiftly implemented a remote learning system on Wednesday, canceling all extracurricular activities, athletics, and generally keeping children safe at home. They even issued a two-hour delay for Thursday due to the ongoing weather conditions.

Travel Turbulence at the Airport

Travelers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport were not spared from the storm’s impact either, with heavy snowfall leading to numerous flight cancellations and delays. On Wednesday alone, a staggering 244 flights were canceled and another 181 delayed. By Thursday morning, another wave hit, with 198 flights delayed and 165 canceled by 10:45 a.m.

The National Weather Service had forecasted about an inch of snow for Charlotte on Thursday, tapering off later in the morning. Yet, for those brave enough to venture out, driving conditions were set to remain treacherous through the morning commute, particularly with another wave of snow expected to roll through.

Emergency Preparation and Safety Measures

Governor Stein and local officials were working hard to keep the lights on and handle the icy situation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining power and preventing ice accumulation. In preparation for the storm, over 20,000 gallons of brine were applied to major highways and interstates.

Residents were urged to keep their devices charged and be ready for potential power outages as the storm advanced. Crews were mobilized from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to treat roads with brine and other materials ahead of the snowfall.

With black ice becoming a real concern as conditions worsened, everyone was advised to stay off the roads during heavy snow and remain cautious. The weather advisory was expected to expire at noon, but the icy aftermath would likely make for another day of challenging travel for many.

As Charlotte deals with the quirks of winter weather, let’s all stay safe and keep warm until the sun shines again!