Snowfall estimates across the area range from 2 to 5 inches and authorities are encouraging people to stay off roads as state and local crews work to treat them.

“It looks like we had about five inches,” Captain Andy Jackson of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department said this morning. “The roads are slick. We're telling people to exercise caution and allow distance between cars. There's not a lot of people out. If you don't have to be out stay at home.”

There were no wrecks reported in the city Tuesday night. “However,” Jackson said, “Several four-wheelers were stopped pulling sleds behind them.”

Jackson said last year, just across the border in Virginia, a child lost her life after hitting a guide wire. “It's very dangerous. That's why we're discouraging it.”

Only essential personnel reported for work in Roanoke Rapids today.

City Manager Joseph Scherer said public works crews were out until 3:30 and 4 this morning cleaning roads. “I think they did an excellent job.”

Northampton County officials reported between 4 to 5 inches of snow. Main roads in the county are passable but caution is encouraged.

“Interstate 95 is probably the best road,” Sergeant J.R. Sharlow of the state Highway Patrol said. “It's not clear but probably the best road. We suggest people stay in and let the DOT guys do what they do.”

There were no wrecks involving serious injury, Sharlow said. “Everything we've dealt with is people sliding off the roadway.”

Trooper J.D. Warren said troopers this morning have been dealing mainly with interstate traffic. “The secondary roads haven't been touched. They're focusing on the interstate.”

Warren said there are still bad spots on I-95, but as of this report troopers have only responded to three wrecks and taken five calls for service.

Becker Village Mall is closed today, mall owner Ellen Heaton said. J.C. Penney will open at 1 p.m. “We're getting the parking lot cleared right now,” she said.

Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said most roads across the county are bad. “The simplest and easiest advice is we encourage everyone to listen to the governor and the state of emergency. If you don't have to go out, then don't. DOT is working and scraping roads. For what they've got to deal with, they're doing a great job.”