3 3 3 3 3 3 this is a live look right now at blowing rock in watauga county. You can see snow is coming down there this morning. Http www. Resortcam s. Com webcams blowingrock 3 firefighters and other emergency workers there say they are ready for the storm. Chains are installed on the tires of several trucks at the blowing rock fire department. Strong winds on saturday, they also have chain saws ready. Firefighters say if theres an emergency. Theyll get there. Even if their trucks cant. 3 capt greg frank, blowing rock fireif we cant get an apparatus up to you, well walk up to you. We have stokes baskets and other things to get you from your residence from wherever you are to our truck. The Department Also has heaters to keep pumps from freezing if they get a fire call. 3 3 stay with news 13 for complete Team Coverage of the will have live reports and updates each hour. We will also post any updates to the forecast on wlos dot com. You can also go there to sign up for text alerts for weather and school closings. We will also post updated information to our facebook and twitter pages. 3 3 in other news this morning, 250 jobs are leaving asheville. Sitel has announced it will close its asheville location on hendersonville road. The company says it is because the needs of their clients have changed. And it is not a reflection of the performance it will offer relocation bonuses and employement for qualified employees. But, the company is still trying to figure out how many qualify. stop 3 49 50 this really is unfortunate, and weve had a Good Relationship with the Asheville Community and were very disappointnt to have to make this announcement. Were gonna do, as i said before, all we can to help our folks 16 sitel will 16 sitel will close july 30th. But the employees may only be there through may. The companys office in knoxville will then take over the work. 3 3 3 parts of the country are dealing with the winter storm. How much snow is expected to fall elsewhere. 3 3 this photo was 3 posted by susan wilson. She says she susan wilson. Posted by this photo was 3 posted by susan wilson. She says she has 3 inches of snow on highway 64 in sapphire valley. And jace bingham sent us this photo from downtown waynesville. Where he says an inch of snow has fallen so far. 3 3 the ntsb released its initial findings of its investigation into a fatal Greyhound Bus accident in san jose, california. The federal agency says there was heavy rain and wind in the area when the accident happened. Two people died, and 18 were hurt tuesday when the bus overturned and landed on a median along highway101. 3 at this time, it looks like the mechanical systems, although they were heavily damaged, we have not found any indications of mechanical defects on the motor coach. The Ongoing Investigation will include gps and other potential recording devices on the bus. 3 in california, firefighters pulled almost two dozen pets out of a burning home in sacramento. They say the fire started in the garage and quickly spread to the attic. Firefighters quickly began their search through the home. 3 they were free, roaming throughout the house. There was a lot of things uh, a lot of things packed in the house, which made it difficult for firefighters to get in and find the dogs. Fourteen dogs firefighters were also able to save five birds. One bird died in the fire. Investigators are trying to determine how this fire started. 3 3 the time is now 4 xx. This is a live picture from westgate in asheville. You can see. Adlib our crews are out and making calls as the snow comes down. We will have a live update. When we get back. 3 we continue our live Team Coverage this morning of the winter storm. Lets check back in with news 13s Lauren Brigman who is live from the Westgate Shopping Center in asheville. Lauren. 3 its now 4 xx. Here is a look at what you can expect for the next three days. 3 3 3 its a very interesting trend sweeping through minneapolis. How residents are turning their clothes into works of art. 3 3 the same winter storm thats hitting our area. Has the Nations Capital bracing for blizzard conditions. Much of the east coast will get smacked by this dangerous storm. Its being called epic comparable to the snowmageddon that crippled the midatlantic in 2010. Officials say more than two feet of snow will fall in some places. Streets and highways quickly froze, causing several accidents. 3 it was pretty rough driving home, and it took a while. It took him a hour to get four miles. I would have hoped anticipated this a little better, and treated the roads. The public is asked to stay off the roads, especially during the height of this storm tonight and early 3 3 the Winter Weather is bringing a quirky new trend in outdoor art in minnesota. People are freezing their jeans and other clothing and putting them in their yards as ice sculptures. It all started with one minneapolis resident placing frozen pants across the neighborhood to lighten the mood. Not all the neighbors are on baord with the idea. One man says he saw some frozen pants while walking his dog and his pet got scared and tried to run away. 3 3 3 3 here is a look at Current Conditions. In our next half hour well talk more about what to expect in the next 7 days. 3 the star of the movie the sandlot is in legal trouble. What he is accused of doing to a college student. 3 most people who sign up for Health Insurance on healthcare. Gov qualify for financial help to make coverage more affordable, lowering their monthly premiums. Many find low premium plans for less than 75 dollars a month. If you dont sign up, you have to pay a penalty of 695 or more. 3 its 4 xx its tmz time. Jay . Celine dion put on a brave face at the viewing of her husband, rene angelil. T t viewing was held at the notredame basilica in montreal, where the couple was married in 1994. Tmz renes open casket, accepting condolences from the public. There was a huge line wrapped around the cathedral. The funeral is set for today. The star who played benny the jet rodrigues in the movie the sandlot has pleaded not guilty to charges of felony assault. Michael vehtar appeared in court in los angeles. He was joined by two others who also pleaded not guilty. Vitar is accused of attacking a 23yearold student on halloween last year. He and his codefendants are due back in court in march. Will smith will spend oscar night with his spend oscar night with his wife, jade pinkett smith. The Hollywood Alister went on Good Morning America to talk about the oscars, the lack of African American nominees, and jadas stance that africanamerican filmmakers should stop begging caucasian hollywood for acceptance. His reason for not attending the award show . He said he feelsquote uncomfortable to stand there and say this is ok. 3 3 here is a look at Current Conditions. Here are your weather headlines for today. Up next. Well talk about what to expect in the extended forecast. 3 3 3 we are continuing to monitor the winter storm. This is a live look from upward road in hendersonville. Coming up in our next half hour. We continue our live Team Coverage with the latest on 3 3 new video into our newsroom this morning of the winter storm. Alexandra raxter in etowah posted this to our facebook page. You can see. It is not snow. But ice coating her deck. 3 3 the winter storm is bringing snow, ice and freezing rain across the mountains this morning. Buncombe and henderson counties are now under states of emergency. We have live Team Coverage of the storms impact as conditions worsen this morning. We begin with ingrid in the sky watch weather center. Good morning. Here is a look at Current Conditions across the region. Your day planner shows temperatures warming by noon. Coming up, ill show you our 7 day forecast for both the mountains and upstate