N.C. Transportation Secretary Tony Tata was in Chicago touting a book as his department's work crews scrambled to treat roads covered by a surprise snowfall.
WRAL-TV in Raleigh reports Tata appeared on CNN Tuesday to talk about his new military thriller.
NCDOT spokesman Mike Charbonneau said Tata was taking a vacation day and has been in contact with state officials throughout the storm. Charbonneau said Tata also participated in a cabinet meeting by phone.
Transportation officials dispatched nearly 1,000 brine and sand trucks to treat roadways. Charbonneau said crews originally planned to head out after the morning commute, but wintry weather arrived earlier than forecast.
In 2011, state Republicans criticized Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue for attending a horse race in Kentucky as tornadoes ripped through parts of the state.
