While students are out enjoying the winter weather, safety is a major factor that NC State is taking into consideration in the light of heavy snowfall due to Winter Storm Inga.
The snow began with light flurries at 8 a.m. and continued to get heavier and accumulate around 11 a.m. With snow showers predicted until 9 p.m. on Wednesday, there is concern for the refreezing of roads and sidewalks.
“Our main roads and sidewalks are going to remain the most clear for a lot longer because people will continue to be on them until tonight when basically everything is going to freeze over,” said Nate Hitchings, an NC State University Police officer. “Typically we do not have too many people out in conditions like this. We will see what happens when rush hour hits, but no major accidents have happened so far.”
Even with the cold, students are finding ways to enjoy the snow while remaining attentive for dangers presented by the weather.
“We played a pickup game of soccer and had a snowball fight,” said Giovanny Hernandez, a first-year studying mathematics and math education. “I’m staying safe by packing on some layers with two pairs of jackets and traveling in groups of friends to help each other if we slip. We are warming up now with some hot chocolate and warm showers so we don’t get sick.”
Several international and non-local students are having their first experiences of snowfall and are figuring out quickly how to interact with the snow and ice while admiring it.
“The snow definitely changes the notion and atmosphere of this place,” said Yash Shah, a first-year studying architecture. “The snow is beautiful. It feels kind of unreal like it has a special quality to it. I’m trying to figure out how to walk and react in the snow since it is my first time.”
Although students are enjoying the rare snowstorm in Raleigh, there are several aspects of campus life that have been impacted like classes being canceled, resources closing and slick roads.
“People really should not be out on the roads,” Hitchings said. “The roads are getting worse by the minute and the roads will freeze overnight which will make it difficult to drive tomorrow as well. I would also recommend for health and safety to wear the appropriate amount of layers and if you get wet clothes or gloves, make sure you can take those off as soon as you can to warm yourself.”
Even with several buildings and other campus resources such as transportation and dining limited, campus police and facilities remain hard at work for the safety and protection of the NC State community.
“If people experience any need for emergency services, our department is still going to be open during all of this,” Hitchings said. “We will be responding to calls as we do 24/7 every day of the year, even in conditions like this. Also, we have our facilities crew out and about on campus right now doing a great job trying to keep the sidewalks clear.”
Even with safety concerns and the amount of snow and ice yet to be determined for Thursday, the snow still serves as an aesthetic wonder for this time of year.
“I was slipping around out there a little and it is very cold,” Shah said. “But it makes me more positive because of how beautiful it is.”
Snow covers Katherine Stinson Dr. in front of SAS Hall on Wednesday. The roads on North Campus had not been plowed at the time of this photo, 4:25 p.m.
