July 16, 2025
Executive Order No. 18
Declaration of a State of Emergency
Whereas, starting on or about July 6, 2025, portions of the central region of the State of North Carolina have been impacted by severe weather, including but not limited to Tropical Depression Chantal and multiple consecutive days of severe weather, which resulted in flooding and wind damage; and
Whereas, in anticipation of and in response to the impacts of Tropical Depression Chantal and additional severe weather, the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management (NCEM) activated the State Emergency Response Team on July 5, 2025, to support local governments, including monitoring storm developments, facilitating mutual aid, and coordinating the provision of necessary resources; and
Whereas, there have been multiple consecutive days of severe weather following the passage of Tropical Depression Chantal, which have caused significant damage and disruption in parts of central North Carolina, and the cumulative impacts of this repeated severe weather have overwhelmed the response and recovery efforts of local governments; and
Whereas, the impacts from multiple days of consecutive severe weather constitute a state of emergency as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 166A-19.3(6) and 166A-19.3(20); and
Whereas, specific measures are necessary to ensure the protection and safety of North Carolina residents and to coordinate the emergency response among state and local entities and officials; and
Whereas, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.1(3) provides that it is the responsibility of the Governor, state agencies, and local governments to “provide for the rapid and orderly rehabilitation of persons and restoration of property”; and
Whereas, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.1(4) provides that it is the responsibility of the Governor, state agencies, and local governments to “provide for cooperation and coordination of activities relating to emergency mitigation preparedness, response, and recovery among agencies and officials of this state and with similar agencies and officials of other states and with other private and quasi-official organizations”; and
Whereas, N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 166A-19.10 and 166A-19.20 authorize the Governor to declare a state of emergency and exercise the powers and duties set forth therein to direct and aid in the response to, recovery from, and mitigation against emergencies; and
Whereas, N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 166A-19.10(3) authorizes the Governor to delegate any gubernatorial authority vested in him under the Emergency Management Act, and to provide for the subdelegation of that authority.
Now therefore, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor by the Constitution and the laws of the State of North Carolina, it is ordered:
Section 1.
I hereby declare that a state of emergency, as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.3(6) exists in the following counties: Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Lee, Moore, Orange, Person, Randolph, and Wake (“the Emergency Area”).
Section 2.
I order all state and local government entities and agencies to cooperate in the implementation of the provisions of this declaration and the provisions of the North Carolina Emergency Operations Plan (“the Plan”).
Section 3.
I delegate to the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (“DPS”), or the Secretary’s designee, all power and authority granted to and required of me by Article 1A of Chapter 166A of the North Carolina General Statutes to implement the Plan and deploy the State Emergency Response Team to take the appropriate actions necessary to promote and secure the safety and protection of the populace in North Carolina.
Section 4.
The Secretary of DPS (“Secretary”), as Chief Coordinating Officer for the State of North Carolina, shall exercise the powers prescribed in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143B-602.
Section 5.
I further direct the Secretary, or his designee, to seek assistance from any and all agencies of the United States Government as may be needed to meet the emergency and to seek reimbursement for costs incurred by the state in responding to this emergency.
Section 6.
This Executive Order does not prohibit or restrict lawfully possessed firearms or ammunition or impose any limitation on the consumption, transportation, sale, or purchase of alcoholic beverages.
Section 7.
Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.23, this declaration triggers the prohibition against excessive pricing as provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 75-37 and 75-38 in the Emergency Area.
Section 8.
This Executive Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect for thirty (30) days, unless earlier terminated or extended.
In witness thereof, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in the City of Raleigh, this 16th day of July in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-five.
Josh Stein
Governor
Attest:
Elaine F. Marshall
Secretary of State