KINSTON, N.C. – In a region not known for frequent winter storms, snowfall the evening of Feb. 20 and the morning of Feb. 21, caused officials with Sanderson Farms to cancel a shift at its poultry processing plant in Kinston. According to news and weather reports the overnight storm resulted in up to 4 inches of precipitation in the region. The snow caused many school districts to close and many businesses were closed or planned to open later in the day. According to news reports, the weather also created challenging driving conditions for commuters in Eastern North Carolina.

Sanderson used social media the evening of Feb. 20 to inform workers of its plans to be closed for its first shift.

“Sanderson Farms will close the plant out of concern for safety of our employees reporting to work due to the conditions of the roads in the winter weather,” a company spokesperson said. Throughout the day temperatures were expected to rise well above the freezing point.

“We will resume as normal with 2nd shift today,” the company said.