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Burke County gets hit with nasty weather

11:34 PM EST on Friday, January 2, 2009

By FRANCES KUO / NewsChannel 36
E-mail Frances: fkuo@WCNC.com

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Burke County takes a hit from the weather

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MORGANTON, N.C.-- Burke County took the brunt of some nasty weather that swept through much of North Carolina Friday morning.

"They were caught off guard by the rain turning ice onto bridges and overpasses," says Trooper Randy Sales with NC Highway Patrol

One of those caught by surprise, the driver of a jeep hit a slick spot and the jeep flipped.

Wrecked cars were a common sight on I-40 and kept tow drivers pretty busy. "A whole lot more than normal," says Clyde Ramsey, a tow truck operator.

Dispatchers say at one point -- they received reports of 50 wrecks during just an hour's time.

"They'll run up on a slick spot and it's too late," says Ramsey, who knows better than to risk it on the roads. "I didn't test it because I respect it," says Ramsey. He says some advice is worth repeating.

"Slow down, or stay at home if you can.  With ice, it doesn't matter whether you have a four-wheel drive or not, it still won't stop.  If you don't allow enough distance, you're going to run over somebody," says Ramsey.

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