North Carolina is preparing for a significant winter storm, dubbed Winter Storm Fern, expected to bring ice, snow, and freezing rain starting Saturday afternoon and continuing into Sunday. Officials, including Attorney General Josh Stein, are urging residents to stay off the roads to ensure safety as hazardous travel conditions and power outages are anticipated. The North Carolina National Guard has been activated, with personnel deployed in areas like Winston-Salem to assist in preparedness and response efforts. Utility companies like Duke Energy are warning of potential multiday outages and are preparing for the worst, deploying crews across the region. Various municipalities, including Asheville and Buncombe County, have announced closures and operational changes in response to the storm, encouraging residents to take precautions and prepare for severe winter weather. Live updates are available as the situation progresses.