Wintry conditions leave drivers trapped for hours on I-85 north of Charlotte, North Carolina
Snow and ice conditions in Cabarrus County halted traffic on I-85 for approximately six hours on January 31, 2026, leaving hundreds of motorists stranded. Authorities confirmed there were no serious injuries, and the highway was reopened after extensive rescue and clearing operations.
Interstate 85 northbound through Kannapolis, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, was shut down for several hours on January 31 after heavy snow and ice brought by a rapidly intensifying nor’easter rendered the roadway impassable.
More than 100 vehicles were stranded along a stretch of the interstate between Exit 60 for Dale Earnhardt Boulevard and Exit 63 for Lane Street as winter weather moved through the region.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the incident began shortly after 15:00 LT (20:00 UTC) when a tractor-trailer and a passenger vehicle collided as snow intensified, dropping visibility in the Kannapolis area to below 1 km (0.6 miles).
Under such conditions, traffic quickly came to a stop, and vehicles became stuck on icy pavement as temperatures fell to around 0°C (32°F).
Responders from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and North Carolina Emergency Management arrived to assist drivers and begin snow removal. As conditions worsened, the North Carolina National Guard was deployed with specialized vehicles to help reach and evacuate motorists from sections where tow trucks could not operate.
By evening, plow and recovery units cleared lanes and assisted drivers in regaining mobility. Traffic flow was restored between 20:30 and 21:30 LT after roughly six hours of closure.
Officials confirmed no fatalities and only minor injuries linked to the incident.
Featured image credit: North Carolina State Highway Patrol
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