Gov. McCrory declares state of emergency ahead of snow storm

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — Gov. Pat McCrory declared a state of emergency as North Carolinians batten down for the third snowstorm to hit the region in little more than a week.

McCrory issued the declaration Wednesday as officials prepared for a winter blast expected to deliver nearly a foot of additional snow to sections of the state overnight. Many parts of North Carolina received 1 to 3 inches of snow on Tuesday, though much of that melted Wednesday during a period of sunshine and above-freezing temperatures.

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McCrory waived vehicle weight and service hour requirements to help expedite storm response. He also implemented a policy that allows state employees considered non-essential to the storm response to remain home.

Two people died in separate weather-related crashes Tuesday when their cars slid off roads and struck trees.

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