Tow truck companies on Tuesday told WRAL News they’re preparing for what could be a big day for them on the road on Wednesday.
WRAL meteorologists are expecting a winter storm to move through the area starting at 10 a.m., dropping snow, sleet and ice throughout central North Carolina. Some areas could see up to six inches of snow and possibly 0.3 inches of ice.
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Icy roads mean dangerous travel conditions for anyone willing to venture out as the snow and sleet fall.
While most people will avoid the roads during the weather, Lee Gardner, owner of Lee’s 24-Hour Towing in Durham, will be one of the many tow truck companies hauling away vehicles abandoned in the snow or that slid and crashed.
When, where, what: WRAL Severe Weather Futurecast shows the coming storm
Lee said the best way to travel on the road is to take things slow and give road crews extra space so everyone stays safe.
“If you see flashing beacon lights when they’re red, yellow or blue, please slow down, move over and give us more room to do our jobs,” Gardner said. “We’re trying to get them home to their families, but we want to go see our families when we get home as well.”
Gardner said his company has seen first hand what happens when people are driving recklessly on slick roads. His company was on the scene of a crash in 2022 that resulted in part of a tractor-trailer hanging off the side of a bridge in Durham.
“He hit the brakes hard, and when his tractor breaks locked, the trailer came around,” Gardner said. “The trailer was hanging on the bridge over 501 and 147.”
Gardner said the driver broke his back in the crash, but it could’ve been much worse.
Lee’s 24-Hour Towing plans on having 16 two trucks to respond around the Triangle as snow comes in. He said crews will come if you get stranded, but wait times could be longer.
“On a normal day, our ETA runs between 30 to 45 minutes,” he said. “On what we’re expecting tomorrow, you can expect an hour-and-a-half to an hour-and-45-minute wait”
Gardner said his crews will get people stranded on the highways, roadways or ditches first, then they will help drivers stuck at home trying to get out.
NC DOT shared the following tips to make sure you don’t get trapped on the road during the snow.
- Avoid driving until road conditions improve.
- Slow down! Drive cautiously and slowly
- Use proper tires and chains
- Stay in your car if you’re stuck
- Use salt or sand on driveways and walkways
- Prepare an emergency kit.