Columbia, SC – A dangerous winter storm is expected to bring freezing rain and possible power outages along I-20, I-26, and I-40 through early Thursday, with slick roads and falling limbs posing serious hazards to travelers and residents alike.
According to the Weather Prediction Center, freezing rain will begin overnight Tuesday and intensify Wednesday across the central and eastern Carolinas and northern Georgia. I-20 from Atlanta to Florence, I-26 from Columbia to Asheville, and I-40 through Greensboro and Raleigh are all in the path of potentially disruptive icing.
In some areas, ice accumulations could exceed a quarter inch—enough to bring down trees and power lines and make travel virtually impossible. North Carolina Emergency Management is warning drivers to avoid all nonessential travel along I-40 from Winston-Salem through Raleigh during the height of the storm.
Pre-treatment efforts are underway, but utility crews across Georgia and the Carolinas are also preparing for possible grid damage. In more rural stretches of I-26 and I-40, delays in response time may extend outages.
Residents should charge devices, stock up on essentials, and avoid roadways through Thursday morning. Recovery and cleanup could extend into Friday in harder-hit areas.
