Rescuers go car-to-car on snowy NC highway

RALEIGH -- More than 100,000 customers lost electric power in a rare March snowstorm that blanketed most of North Carolina and forced rescuers to go car-to-car in one county after traffic stalled. The National Weather Service said Monday morning the snow had mostly stopped. Snowfall totaled from a foot in the mountains to an inch east of Interstate 95. Troopers and Red Cross volunteers checked miles of cars on southbound I-85 in Gaston County late Sunday to be sure motorists were safe. Patrol Capt. Everett Clendenin said a few people were taken for treatment, but most just received hot beverages and food. The backup was caused by a wreck in South Carolina. Clendenin said traffic was backed up about 15 miles. Schools were closed or delayed in many counties. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)