Winter Storm Diego has arrived in Orange County, bringing with it several inches of snow and freezing rain that have caused road closures and traffic delays across the state.
Local officials were quick to remind residents not to drive during the winter storm, as road conditions were unsafe as of Sunday afternoon. Crews were dispatched to clear roadways to make for a safe commute on Monday morning.
For those that did venture out onto the roads during the storm, they discovered multiple road closures due to downed trees and icy conditions.
UNC Transit tweeted out that multiple roads near UNC-Chapel Hill were closed. Finley Golf Course Road has been blocked by a downed tree and South Road eastbound has been reduced to one lane due to downed trees and power lines.
Local traffic is permitted only on Country Club at Gimghoul due to downed power lines.
Here are updates on current UNC road/lane closures:
— South Rd one lane east of Country Club (tree/power lines down);
— Finley Golf Course Rd blocked (tree down);
— Local traffic only on Country Club @ Gimghoul (power lines down);
Please heed signs & traffic officials— UNC Transp / Parking (@MoveUNC) December 9, 2018
We are responding to reports of downed trees on campus. Manning and Hibbard drives have been cleared and reopened to through traffic, but Country Club Road (between Gimghoul and South roads) and Finley Golf Course Road are still blocked at this time. #UNC #CHtraffic
— UNC Facilities (@UNCFacServ) December 9, 2018
The snow from the winter storm also caused power outages across Orange County and North Carolina. As of Sunday afternoon, thousands of residents are still without power.
The power outages have caused traffic signals to go out in several areas as well. North Carolina law states that drivers must come to a complete stop at a traffic signal that is dark or flashing red. Treat it like a four-way stop.
Road conditions will remain unsafe through the remainder of the day. The National Weather Service tweeted a graphic reminding residents to stay off the roads, as ice is likely to form when temperatures drop to near freezing overnight.
Many area roadways remain treacherous, and with temperatures dipping to near freezing overnight, ice formation is likely to persist. Please stay off the roads as much as possible. Latest forecast info: https://t.co/9PZRppqoXA pic.twitter.com/kR86ezvmQk
— NWS Raleigh (@NWSRaleigh) December 9, 2018
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