Widespread power outages are being reported in Carteret County. As of 1000pm, all 40,000 Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative services were without power. Maximum wind speeds of 75 mph were recorded. Winds are expected to increase tonight to hurricane strength as Florence moves closer to land. Emergency Services Director Stephen Rae said they have suspended emergency response until conditions improve.
“Our citizens need to make sure that they keep themselves and their families safe and indoors and that our conditions are deteriorating and that they need to understand that the conditions will get worse before they get better.”
Rae said there’s reports of downed trees and power lines as well as flooding in Bogue Banks and areas Down East. Carteret County is under a curfew from dusk to dawn. No injuries have been reported with this storm.
