A state of emergency is in effect for all 100 counties in North Carolina as Hurricane Irma moves north. Jared Brumbaugh has more on what local state and federal governments are doing to prepare for the storm.
“It is too soon to know how North Carolina will exactly be impacted, but it is not too soon to get ready for it.”
Gov. Roy Cooper speaking at a noontime briefing Thursday said the State has already started putting response crews on standby and positioning resources across the state.
“We have a strong team here in our state, and they are ready for Irma and whatever impact it may be.”
Non-profit disaster relief organizations like The American Red Cross are setting up now, FEMA officials will arrive Sunday and the National Guard have been activated to assist with search and rescue, sheltering, road repair, debris clearance and power generation. Director of North Carolina Emergency Management Mike Sprayberry.
“We are currently planning for the recovery. So once the storm leaves, we’re through with response operations, we can seaway smoothly into recovery and try to identify any housing needs for people that are displaced from whatever the storm brings us.”
Sprayberry says staging areas will be set up in Asheville, Greensboro and Kinston to mobilize resources. Swift water rescue teams that were sent to Texas last week have since returned to North Carolina and are ready to assist with Irma evacuations and rescues if necessary. I’m Jared Brumbaugh.
