A stretch of wintry weather has left icy roads throughout our area.

The precipitation began Sunday evening as snow before turning to sleet and freezing rain. That changeover prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Storm Warning for Orange County and areas to the west, while Durham County and points east remained under a Winter Weather Advisory.

Ryan Ellis with the National Weather Service in Raleigh spoke with WCHL’s Ron Stutts about the conditions Monday morning:

 

Orange County Emergency Services Coordinator Kirby Saunders says crews have responded to 62 accidents across the county, mainly north of I-85.

“The bulk of those occurred last night, 7 PM to midnight, with 35 accidents,” Saunders says. “Of those 62, there have been a total of seven reported accidents with personal injuries.”

Saunders says many motorists were out Sunday night for Valentine’s Day and were caught off guard by the quickly-accumulating precipitation.

He did say there were no major injuries as a result of the accidents.

Saunders says the secondary and rural routes throughout the county have accumulated more ice than the primary routes.

Saunders is encouraging residents to say in throughout the day and to travel slowly if residents must be on the roadways.

Listen to the full interview with Saunders below:

 

Accidents have been reported throughout the morning:

The Durham Sheriff’s Office is reporting deputies have responded to 21 accidents with at least three involving minor injuries.

Meanwhile, Durham police officers have investigated 26 traffic accidents since midnight, according to officials. There were several reports of injuries but the injuries do not appear to be life-threatening. There have also been numerous reports of vehicles sliding off the roads.

The precipitation is projected to be solely rain by Monday afternoon.

The inclement weather prompted several weather closings and delays in our area.

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