Last Updated on February 7, 2022 6:08 pm
Numerous accidents were reported this morning after ice caused treacherous travel conditions.
Highway 321 from Green Park Inn in Blowing Rock into Caldwell County was closed for an extended period of time.
Another big problem area was highway 421 from Deep Gap into Wilkes County. According to the Deep Gap Fire Department, they responded to 5 calls this morning between 7:30 am to 9:30 am:
1st was a 22-vehicle accident on Highway 421 just south of Stony Fork Rd,
2nd was a single-vehicle accident on Old 421 & Livestock Market Rd.
3rd was traffic control for multiple vehicles stuck on Highway 421 & Laurel Springs Church.
4th was a 75-vehicle accident on Highway 421 extending from Chestnut Mountain Rd into Wilkes County around the two sandpiles.
5th was a single-vehicle accident on Stony Fork Rd.
Only minor injuries were reported throughout all incidents and most collisions were minor, according to the department. A majority of the vehicles slid off the roadway while trying to avoid the cars wrecked in the road.
At 10:24 am, 321 in Blowing Rock was back open and the Watauga side of 421 in Deep Gap was back open, according to Watauga County Dispatch.
A Winter Weather Advisory was issued by the National Weather Service at 8:28 am but was canceled at 12:43 pm.
Photos: Deep Gap Fire Department
The top of highway 16 at Wilkes/Alexander county line. Video courtesy of Brain Leatherman.