AP

The Carolinas and Virginia brace for blast of ice, snow

Jan 19, 2022, 7:13 PM | Updated: Jan 20, 2022, 1:41 pm

Christian and Kaitlyn Rosado were among hundreds of customers picking up supplies at the Marina Sho...

Christian and Kaitlyn Rosado were among hundreds of customers picking up supplies at the Marina Shores Taylor's Do It Center in Virginia Beach, Va., on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, in preparation for the impending winter storm. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)

(Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)


              Christian and Kaitlyn Rosado were among hundreds of customers picking up supplies at the Marina Shores Taylor's Do It Center in Virginia Beach, Va., on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, in preparation for the impending winter storm. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
            
              Virginia Beach, Va., Public Works crews prepare Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, morning for snow from an impending winter storm. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
            
              Virginia Beach, Va., Public Works crews prepare Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, morning for snow from an impending winter storm. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
            
              Christian and Kaitlyn Rosado were among hundreds of customers picking up supplies at the Marina Shores Taylor's Do It Center in Virginia Beach, Va., on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, in preparation for the impending winter storm. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
            
              Virginia Beach, Va., Public Works crews prepare Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, morning for snow from an impending winter storm. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
            
              Virginia Beach, Va., Public Works crews prepare Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, morning for snow from an impending winter storm. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
            
              Vera Rahsman, 12, of Roanoke sleds during the snow storm at Ghent Hill Park Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Roanoke.(Scott P. Yates/The Roanoke Times via AP)
            
              A man who identified himself at Hollywood 4ever shovels the sidewalk and opens the door for other customers during the snow storm at Food Way Market Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Roanoke.(Scott P. Yates/The Roanoke Times via AP)
            
              Nick Garst uses a skate board without wheels to slide down Ghent Hill Park Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Roanoke.(Scott P. Yates/The Roanoke Times via AP)

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The Carolinas and Virginia were bracing for more winter weather on Thursday, with officials urging drivers to stay off potentially icy roads and schools canceling classes in coastal areas that don’t frequently see frozen precipitation.

The governors of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia each declared states of emergency ahead of the storm system that was forecast to blow in as mixed precipitation on Thursday, followed by a round of snow on Friday night into Saturday. The winter blast could ice over a large swath of eastern North Carolina and the northeastern corner of South Carolina, while dumping snow around Norfolk, Virginia, according to the National Weather Service.

The forecast prompted Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin to declare a state of emergency Thursday that will remain in effect through Saturday. His executive order allows the state greater flexibility in mobilizing people and resources to prepare and respond.

“I urge all Virginians to monitor their local weather forecasts and take personal safety precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of their families,” Youngkin said in a statement that called on Virginians to stay off the road during hazardous conditions.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed a state of emergency Wednesday ahead of the storm, the second to hit the state in a week. He said Thursday that 114 National Guard troops were staging in central and eastern North Carolina to prepare to move to the affected areas. He said ice accumulations could cause extended power outages and urged people to look out for their neighbors as lows dip below freezing in the coming days.

“We’re a little more concerned about this one because it’s going to be so cold Friday and Saturday night, and if there are power outages, then we are concerned about maybe some families who can’t stay warm,” he told reporters.

In South Carolina, where Gov. Henry McMaster also declared a state of emergency, schools and government offices around Charleston and other places that don’t see much frozen precipitation closed or announced shortened hours Friday. Freezing rain, sleet and snow were expected to start spreading across the state around sunrise. And utilities in the northeastern part of the state warned major power outages were possible.

An ice storm warning was issued in northeastern South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina, where rain was expected to change Thursday night to mixed precipitation that includes freezing rain. The area could receive up to a quarter inch (0.6 centimeters) of ice before Sunday.

An initial wave of snow could dump several inches on parts of eastern Virginia and North Carolina on Thursday. A more significant round of snow is expected to arrive Friday night to Saturday morning. Parts of the area could get 3 to 5 inches (8 to 13 centimeters) of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Areas around Norfolk could see more than 5 inches (13 centimeters).

In northeastern North Carolina, Perquimans County school officials noted the rarity of snow in the area in announcing schools would be closed on Friday. Forecasters said the area could see several inches of snow.

“It is not often that we get to experience snow in Northeastern NC and we hope this will be a day that you can enjoy with your children,” the school district’s website said. “Stay safe, stay warm, and enjoy the snow!”

Around Wilmington, North Carolina, New Hanover County Schools said it was canceling Friday athletics and after-school activities and holding classes remotely because of icy conditions. Nearby Brunswick County canceled school altogether Friday due to the weather.

To the north in Virginia, Virginia Beach also canceled after-school activities and went to an asynchronous schedule for Friday. Citing the snow forecast, Norfolk Public Schools canceled class, adding the admonishment: “Stay Safe!”

Multiple school districts in Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia also closed Thursday due to slick roadways.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

1 day ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

1 day ago

File photo: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024....

Associated Press

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.

1 day ago

islamic state attack...

Vanessa Gera, The Associated Press

What we know after the Islamic State group claims responsibility for Moscow massacre

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a suburban Moscow concert hall that killed at least 133 people.

5 days ago

Moscow shooting...

The Associated Press

Russia: 60 dead, 145 injured in concert hall raid; Islamic State group claims responsibility

Assailants burst into a concert hall in Moscow on Friday and sprayed the crowd with gunfire, killing over 60 people, injuring more than 100.

7 days ago

Photo: Britain's Kate, Duchess of Cambridge visits 282 (East Ham) Squadron, RAF Air Cadets, Cornwel...

Associated Press

Kate Middleton announces she has cancer, is undergoing chemotherapy

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, says she is undergoing chemotherapy to treat cancer. She has been out of view since Christmas.

7 days ago

The Carolinas and Virginia brace for blast of ice, snow