Secondary roads, refreezing remain concern days after ice storm

Ice and debris will continue to be major issues as wet spots on roads refreeze overnight Monday.

The pavement outside the Person County Sheriff's Office was 28 degrees Monday night, which means the ice isn't going anywhere, and drivers will need to keep a close eye on the roads Tuesday morning.

When it comes to ice, Person County resident Doug Carter is not taking chances.

According to Carter, most roads he's seen have been clear, until you get back in the county.

"You come down the hill there and you hit that bottom," said Carter. "You can catch a piece of ice and it feels like it wants to get away from you."

Those secondary roads are a concern, and a focus, for North Carolina Department of Transportation crews as the sun sets, the temperature drops, and roads refreeze.

NCDOT's Marty Homan says crews were out overnight, putting salt and sand on trouble spots.

"If it looks wet, assume that it's ice," said Homan.

The sheer scale of Sunday's storm has been a challenge for the agency, which is impacted by staffing shortages due to COVID-19.

"Almost the entire state, the western three quarters of the state, were impacted by this storm," said Homan.

It's not just ice -- clean up in Moore County on Monday focused on trees, limbs and powerlines.

The town of Southern Pines is once again encouraging residents to stay home, and avoid closed roads. ​

NCDOT told WRAL News there will be five trucks working in Person County alone, with another five each in Wake and Durham Counties.

Homan said, no matter where you go, be on the lookout. That ice can be so, so easy to miss.