Lingering Ice Brings Delays

Prolonged freeze disrupts deliveries, travel, supply chains, and essential services as daytime highs struggle to break the low 40s

By BCNews Staff Writer

A stubborn layer of ice continues to grip much of North Carolina and South Carolina, causing widespread delays across transportation, deliveries, and essential services.

Although the winter storm has moved out, the Carolinas are now dealing with a prolonged freeze that is slowing recovery efforts and extending disruptions well into the week.

Daytime temperatures across the region are only expected to reach the low 40s, offering limited melting before refreezing occurs overnight. Shaded rural roads, bridges, and overpasses remain coated in ice, creating hazardous travel conditions that are preventing commercial trucks, school buses, and emergency responders from safely navigating many areas.

In parts of Brunswick County, the impacts are even more severe. Longwood, in southeastern Brunswick County, recorded around 18 inches of snow, one of the highest totals in the region. With temperatures struggling to rise above freezing, it will take quite a while for that amount of snow to melt, leaving residents to contend with deep slush, refreezing, and persistent ice on local roads.

Local law enforcement agencies are urging residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office issued an advisory early Tuesday morning warning that “black ice remains widespread on secondary roads, and travel should be avoided until conditions improve.” Deputies have reported slide‑offs and disabled vehicles, particularly in rural unincorporated communities where road treatment is limited and shaded areas remain frozen long after sunrise.

Major carriers — including UPS, USPS, FedEx, and Amazon — continue to report significant delays. Air cargo networks are still working through backlogs from earlier flight cancellations, while ground operations remain limited in ZIP codes where ice has not melted. Home delivery services such as DoorDash, and Uber Eats have suspended operations in several areas due to unsafe conditions.

Store deliveries. Grocery chains, pharmacies, and big‑box retailers have experienced delayed or canceled shipments. Restaurant supply chains face interruptions as distributors struggle to complete route deliveries, even days after the historic snowstorm cleared our area.

Public services are also feeling the strain. Trash and recycling pickup is running behind schedule, county offices are operating on modified hours. Schools across both states continue to close or operate on delays, with many districts unable to safely run buses on untreated roads.

Healthcare services are impacted as well. Dialysis appointments, home‑health visits, and non‑emergency medical care have been postponed or rescheduled, particularly in rural areas where icy roads remain impassable.

With temperatures expected to hover near freezing again tonight, officials warn that refreezing will likely extend disruptions into midweek.

However, Wednesday’s forecast calls for some rain and daytime highs in the 50s, which should finally help break down the stubborn ice and speed up melting across the region.

Residents are urged to use caution, limit travel, and expect continued delays in mail, packages, store restocking, and essential services until conditions fully improve.