Governor Cooper Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Severe Weather | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    RALEIGH: Yesterday, Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency to activate the state's emergency operations plan, waive transportation rules to help the transport of fuel and critical supplies and services, help first responders and assist the agriculture industry to prepare in advance for inclement weather and protect consumers from price gouging.

    Idalia is expected to bring several hazards to North Carolina on Wednesday and Thursday, with the risk of flooding from heavy rain particularly in Southeast North Carolina.

    "We are continuing to monitor Idalia's course and its potential impacts on our state and it's critical to make sure we are fully prepared," said Governor Cooper. "It is important for North Carolinians to gather emergency kits and prepare for the storm before it's too late. We also want to make sure our farmers are able to protect their crops."

    "We are working together with our local jurisdictions to ensure we have necessary resources staged to support emergency response needs," said North Carolina Emergency Management Director Will Ray. "We are grateful for the partnership to protect our communities, the 10.6 million North Carolinians, and visitors."

    The Governor and state officials advise the following tips to make sure people are personally prepared:

• Have multiple ways to receive emergency information, including watches and warnings. Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on a cell phone and download a weather app.
• Have an emergency plan. Know where to go if there's a need to evacuate. Make a plan to stay with family, friends or at a hotel. Public shelters should be a last resort.
• Gather some emergency supplies or refresh an emergency kit. Visit ReadyNC.gov for info on how to build an emergency kit.
• If people live near or are visiting the coast, be aware if you are located in a coastal evacuation zone. Visit KnowYourZone.nc.gov to see if you are located in a pre-determined evacuation zone. Learn your zone and listen for it if evacuations are ordered by local governments.
• Never drive through flooded roadways. Turn around, don't drown.

    Visit ReadyNC.gov for additional information on weather preparation, as well as information on power outages. Visit DriveNC.gov for current travel conditions from NCDOT.


    Contact: Sam Chan

    Phone: (919) 814-2100  •      Email: govpress@nc.gov