Reports: Over 500 accidents reported in North Carolina as snowstorm produces hazardous travel conditions

As of 10:00 p.m. EST Sunday, this reports story is no longer being updated. Click here for photos of the snowstorm.

A major snowstorm, which has already buried parts of North Carolina with over a foot of snow, will continue to cause travel disruptions and power outages into Sunday evening.

AccuWeather meteorologists say the heaviest snowfall with this storm is expected from the southern Appalachians into the western piedmont of North Carolina and southwest Virginia. Snowfall amounts of 12-18 inches are expected, especially in the mountains of North Carolina, with an AccuWeather Local storm™ of 24 inches. Travel will likely be completely halted in these regions until roads have been cleared.

Snowstorm buries the Carolinas, Virginia

AP Photo/Garret Fischer

First, at vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui voluptatum.

1/12

(AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)

Tervante Wilkerson trudges past a snow-plastered Bobcat on Old NC 98 in Wake Forest, N.C., on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018.

(Photo: D.K. Wall)

Up to 16 inches has already fallen near Waynesville, North Carolina.

(Photo/DurhamPolice)

Roads are treacherous around Durham, North Carolina. Several roads are closed with local police telling people to stay at home and off the roads if at all possible.

A plow works to clear the streets in Asheville, North Carolina.

(Photo/City of Asheville, North Carolina)

(AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)

Tervante Wilkerson trudges through blowing snow up Old NC 98 in Wake Forest, N.C., on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018.

(AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)

A car drives slowly down Old NC 98 in Wake Forest, N.C., on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018.

<i>A dog sits calmly in the fresh snow that has fallen in Cave Spring, Virginia. (Photo/Twitter user @W4sh)</i>

(Photo/Twitter user @gabreitenauer)

Around 5 inches of snow had fallen early Sunday morning in Zebulon, North Carolina.

(Photo/Twitter user@CoachBilly1)

Some storm shelves were completely empty in Lincolnton, North Carolina, on Saturday, Dec. 8. (Photo/Twitter user@CoachBilly1

)Photo/Durham County Sheriff's Office)

At least 6 inches of snow was reported in Durham County, North Carolina, early Sunday morning.

(Photo/Twitter user @TravisGrizzle)

One resident measured 10 inches of snow in Weber City, Virginia, on Sunday, Dec. 9. 2018.

(Photo/Town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina)

Power lines were toppled by heavy snow around Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Sunday Dec. 9, 2018.

(Photo/Town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina)

People walk along a snow-covered road in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018.

(Photo/North Carolina National Guard)

Members of the National Guard from Greensboro head to Marion, NC to assist with vehicle recovery

(Photo/North Carolina National Guard)

(Photo/North Carolina National Guard)

(Photo/North Carolina National Guard)

(Image via NCDOT)

(Image via NCDOT)

(Image via Twitter/@DurhamSheriff)

(Image via Twitter/@DurhamSheriff)

(Image via Twitter/@LtCimbal046)

(Image via Twitter/@LtCimbal046)

(Image via Twitter/@LtCimbal046)

(Image via Ceiara Cartony)

(Image via Ceiara Cartony)

Strong winds will remain a concern in coastal areas. Wind gusts of 40-50 mph are expected across coastal North Carolina through Monday morning. Winds will be strong enough to blow down tree limbs and even power lines which could lead to localized power outages.

Download the free AccuWeather app to know when the rain and snow will start in your area.

Several school districts in North Carolina have already announced that they will be closed on Monday, including Durham Public Schools and Guilford County Schools.

8:15 p.m. EST Sunday:

Traffic remains around Greensboro, North Carolina, continuing to Richmond, Virginia.

Due to inclement weather and the possibility of hazardous road conditions, many schools have delays or cancelations. Monroe County Schools will be on a two-hour delay tomorrow, Monday, December 10, 2018.

(Image via Google Maps)

7:00 p.m. EST Sunday:

One person is dead after a tree fell on a vehicle in Matthews, North Carolina, according to reports from Matthews Police. A passenger of the vehicle was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

5:50 p.m. EST Sunday:

The total number of statewide power outages in North Carolina as of 5:00 p.m. is 203,058.

Power outages during frigid winter months can endanger lives. Being prepared can help you and your family stay safe and comfortable.

4:45 p.m. EST Sunday:

There are reports of many vehicles getting stranded on exits in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Dangerous travel conditions have also been reported in central Virginia by the NWS of Wakefield, Virginia.

Officials across the Carolinas and Virginia are asking residents to stay off of the roads.

Crews in Iredell and Avery, Counties in North Carolina. (Image via NCDOT)

3:30 p.m. EST Sunday:

Streets are not plowed in some areas of the Carolinas, so it is best to stay off of the roads. Traffic is building up around Greensboro, North Carolina as well as Richmond, Virginia.

City offices will be closed in Bristol, Virginia Monday, December 10, due to inclement weather and road conditions. The University of Lynchburg will also be closed Monday, Dec. 10, due to inclement weather and hazardous road conditions.

2:31 p.m. EST Sunday:

Virginia Department of Transportation webcams show very difficult travel conditions on major thoroughfares such as Interstate 81.

The City of Greensboro, North Carolina, announced that it was declaring a state of emergency along with Guilford County.

(Image via NOAA/NWS)

1:53 p.m. EST Sunday:

A number of school districts in North Carolina have announced that they will be closed on Monday.

12:59 p.m. EST Sunday:

The City of Charlotte announced that it will operate on a two-hour delay on Monday, with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center opening to the public at 10 a.m.

11:15 a.m. EST Sunday:

There have been over 500 collisions and over 1,000 service calls across North Carolina so far today, according to North Carolina Highway Patrol. Officials continue to urge people to stay at home until conditions improve.

10:02 a.m. EST Sunday:

Deicing operations are underway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Over 1,000 flights have been canceled at the airport.