North Carolinians should pay close attention to their local weather forecast, make sure they are prepared with what they need at home before Friday afternoon, and stay home if possible as ice on the roadways will likely create dangerous driving conditions.

Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency for North Carolina on Thursday before Friday’s winter storm. The announcement was made on Thursday, Jan. 9, about 24 hours before forecasts predicted winter weather to begin moving into the Carolinas.

North Carolina’s public inauguration ceremony scheduled for Saturday for new Gov. Josh Stein and other statewide elected officials has been canceled because of approaching winter weather

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein declared a statewide state of emergency to prepare for a winter storm expected to bring snow, ice, and freezing rain starting Friday. Residents are urged to stay home as hazardous travel conditions and power outages are anticipated.

Inauguration events scheduled for North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein this weekend have been canceled due to weather conditions, state officials said.