Gov. Cooper is visiting coastal counties today to view storm damage as state and local emergency officials assess preliminary damage from Hurricane Dorian.
“People on the ground who felt the effects of Dorian are our focus today,” said Governor Cooper. “Getting food, water and medical help to the people in need is the first priority. Utilities are working hard to restore power and we want life to return to normal as soon as possible in eastern North Carolina.”
No additional deaths have been reported from the storm. Approximately 200 people remained in shelters though the numbers were dropping. About 57,000 were without electricity mid-day, mostly in the eastern part of the state hit hardest by the storm.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation reports that NC Highway 12 south of the Basnight Bridge to Mirlo is closed except for emergency and relief vehicles.
Another 39 routes were closed or partially closed due to water or trees blocking the road. Motorists should remain alert for downed limbs and power lines and visit drivenc.gov for the latest information on road closures. As cleanup continues, do not drive on roads covered with water, or drive around road barricades.
On Ocracoke, search and rescue teams were going house-to-house checking on people who may be injured or in need of assistance following the storm surge flooding that occurred yesterday afternoon. Emergency officials have transported fuel trucks, generators, and food and water to Ocracoke. A shelter is open in Washington County to accommodate people from Ocracoke who need temporary housing.
The NC Ferry Division is working to reestablish routes to Ocracoke to transport food, water and other supplies. The U.S. Coast Guard flew seven air rescue missions to transport people with medical conditions on Ocracoke to safety. As of this morning, first responders evacuated 32 people from the Outer Banks by ground.
Though many shelters have closed, and some local governments have lifted their evacuation orders, people who were evacuated should check local government websites and social media channels for reentry instructions.
Governor Cooper has been touring Morehead City and Ocracoke Island. He urged those working to clear downed trees and debris to do so carefully, as many of the injuries and deaths that occurred in previous storms happened during the cleanup process. Downed power lines may still be active and should be avoided.
The latest storm information may be found on the state’s Hurricane Dorian website (https://www.ncdps.gov/dorian2019), on Twitter @NCEmergency and Facebook. Visit DriveNC.gov for traffic conditions statewide. Real-time traffic, weather and preparedness information is also available via the ReadyNC mobile app, available free for iPhones and Android devices.
If you wish to donate your time or financial assistance to recovery efforts, please go to NC.Gov/donate.
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