North Carolina has opened three N.C. National Guard (NCNG) staging areas and five shelters in preparation for Hurricane Irma, Governor Cooper said today. The National Guard is positioning soldiers and equipment in Greensboro, Charlotte and Asheville. Gov. Cooper visited the Greensboro site Sunday.
“Things are looking better for North Carolina, but we’re not out of the woods yet,” said Gov. Cooper. “People still need to pay careful attention to the forecast and local media and be sure they’re ready. In the meantime, we can help others who need a safe place to stay while fleeing this storm.”
Cooper saw swift water rescue training and visited the command center. NCNG soldiers are also are ready and equipped to help remove debris and deliver and distribute supplies.
The latest forecasts continue to indicate a northwestward track for Hurricane Irma, affecting primarily the western part of the state, but there is still a potential for severe weather across the state through the day Monday and into Tuesday morning. Heavy rain and strong winds in the mountains may lead to flash flooding and power outages. Dangerous surf and rip currents will continue along the coast through the next several days and the southeastern beaches and areas along the Cape Fear River may see some minor flooding. Isolated tornadoes and gusty winds are also possible across the state with the greatest impacts in the west.
This weekend emergency management teams and the Red Cross opened five shelters in Gaston, Guilford, Henderson, Johnston and Mecklenburg counties to help those evacuating from other states. These sites are located just off major interstates, and all accept pets.Citizens can visit ReadyNC.Org or download the ReadyNC App to get exact shelter locations. People can also call 2-1-1 for more information.
“Our shelters are here to welcome evacuees who need a place to stay while they wait for the storm to pass and our guardsmen are prepared to support the shelters as needed,” said Gov. Cooper.
While the threat of severe storm impacts has diminished, State Emergency Management officials remain prepared to respond if needed.
“We’d rather be over prepared and underwhelmed than caught off guard,” said Public Safety Secretary Erik Hooks.
Follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook for the latest on Hurricane Irma. You can also get real-time traffic and weather on the ReadyNC mobile app.
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