"Really extremely cold weather and sustained cold weather that's going to be below freezing pretty much through the week," Fountain said. For mountain communities, Blue Ridge Energy says they're just as prepared,

"The temperature is going to be bad tomorrow and Wednesday, what happens if this happens again? And people are without power for 12, 13 hours?"

DOT crews began salt brining interstates Monday morning. The mixture will lower the freezing point of the pavement to prevent ice from forming. However, with the chilliest temperatures the Triangle has seen in about two years,