Bare shelves, long lines at grocery stores, and crowded gas stations: signs that another winter storm has made its way to Moore County.
As the pager continued to “sound off” multiple times Wednesday, Sandhills Sentinel reporters ventured out before the brunt of the icy mixture fell on the roads. While the main roads did see icy patches and hazardous areas, much of the danger was on the county’s back roads. Freezing temperatures and steady precipitation coated the roads in an icy glaze.
These icy conditions made for treacherous travel across Moore County, resulting in numerous crashes, especially in the northern and western areas. Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Daniel Gwyn was on the scene of several crashes mid-to-late Wednesday afternoon.
No serious injuries were reported, but the volume of wrecks made for a very busy day for Moore County’s first responders.
Most incidents involved single vehicles that slid off the road, which were marked with caution tape until tow trucks could safely retrieve them. Some crashes were more severe, however, requiring emergency crews to extricate trapped drivers or resulting in vehicles blocking roadways.
The effects of the storm continue to be seen across the county. North Carolina Department of Transportation plows can be seen traveling up and down U.S. Highway 1 as they scrape the roadway to keep the “slush” cleared from the travel lanes. Moore County Schools were forced to close and switch to remote learning on Wednesday and Thursday for the safety of students and staff.
Officials continue to urge drivers to use extreme caution if travel is necessary due to the current icy conditions.
Daniel Gwyn, on scene, encourages readers, “Stay home and stay warm if you can!”
~Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Daniel Gwyn. Daniel has been reporting breaking news for Sandhills Sentinel since 2020.
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