HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) — Storm preparations are underway in Western North Carolina. Crews there are not only preparing for the chance of snow and ice on the roadways, but are still cleaning up from Hurricane Helene. At the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Henderson County Yard, crews have been preparing for a winter storm.

Officials with the North Carolina Department of Transportation discussed preparations for this week’s snow as the weather system nears. Engineers answered questions and talked about measures being taken to keep roadways safe.

While people prep their homes, NCDOT is prepping the roads. Crews were making brine to keep snow and ice from sticking to the road, treating less traveled roads Wednesday and more traveled ones as the snow gets closer. 14,000 tons of salt are ready to go for central North Carolina.

Governor Josh Stein has declared a state of emergency for North Carolina in anticipation of severe winter weather.

North Carolina’s public inauguration ceremony scheduled for Saturday for new Gov. Josh Stein and other statewide elected officials has been canceled because of approaching winter weather

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is preparing for any winter weather that comes into the state.

Preparations are underway across the region for the possibility of snow and ice on Friday. ALSO READ: Icy conditions impact roads in North Carolina mountain communities The North Carolina Department of Transportation told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty it was too cold in Burke County to put down the saltwater mixture Wednesday afternoon – they’re concerned it could freeze.