Crews in Chapel Hill have been working since Monday to prepare for the incoming winter storm, but that is now being washed away by rain ahead of the inclement weather.

“Unfortunately, a lot of the preparations that we made are being washed off the roads right now,” Chapel Hill Emergency Management Coordinator Barry McLamb told WCHL Wednesday morning.

Temperatures a couple of degrees warmer than anticipated have caused the storm to begin as rain. McLamb said that is causing a lot of the bring that town crews have been spreading to be washed away. McLamb encouraged residents to stay off of the roadways.

“The snow is coming,” McLamb said. “And we urge people, if they can, to stay home today, stay off the roads.

“When it gets here, it’s going to get ugly quick.”

McLamb said town crews were well prepared for the storm and had gone through standard protocol. He added staff would continue working to hit the benchmarks put forward in the town’s preparation plans.

The Winter Storm Warning in effect across our community is in place until 4 p.m. Wednesday. It has led to many closings and delays.

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