Governor Roy Cooper on Thursday continued to urge North Carolinians in flooded areas to remain alert for warnings and avoid driving on flooded roads.
“Many storm deaths occur after the storm has passed, especially when rivers overflow their banks or when people try across flooded roads,” Gov. Cooper cautioned. “Don’t drive in flood waters or around barricades.”
Governor Cooper held a 5 p.m. media briefing with other state officials from the State Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh after traveling to see storm damage earlier in the day in Robeson and Cumberland counties.
“We’ve seen so many encouraging stories today – volunteers, neighbors and communities working together,” Gov. Cooper said. “Hot meals are being served. Volunteers are bringing supplies. Roads are being cleared. But for some communities, today is still a matter of life and death. Recovering for so many North Carolinians will take months, even years.”
Flood Hazards Remain
Many roads have been cleared of downed debris, but travel remains treacherous across large sections of eastern and coastal North Carolina. Portions of Interstates 95 and 40 remain closed due to flooding, and there are more than 740 road closures statewide. The governor urged people not to drive in areas flooded by Hurricane Florence. For the most up-to-date information on road conditions, go to DriveNC.gov.
Additional roads may become flooded as rivers including the Lumber, Cape Fear, Neuse and Trent continue to flood. Because the status of many roads can change on short notice, state transportation officials and the State Highway Patrol urge people not to drive into impacted areas.
“For residents of Bladen, Craven, Cumberland, Greene, Robeson, Columbus, Wayne, Lenoir, Pender, Duplin and Jones counties: please be alert and aware,” Cooper said.
People in Eastern North Carolina are urged to be vigilant and pay attention to local emergency response officials because rising floodwaters could prompt evacuation orders.
Latest Updates
The storm has officially claimed the lives of 31 people in North Carolina.
During the past week, more than 4,700 lives have been saved by emergency teams sent in to storm-ravaged areas. That’s twice as many people as were saved after Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
About 6,000 people who sought refuge from the storm remain in shelters.
About 73,500 homes and businesses were without power, as of 8 p.m. Thursday.
While most universities and community colleges have started again, 24 school districts were closed Wednesday and some of those school districts aren’t sure when they will be able to reopen.
Storm Victims Urged to Apply with FEMA
People in 18 counties can start applying for federal assistance, after the Federal Emergency Management Agency granted Gov. Cooper’s request for a major disaster declaration for the following counties: Bladen, Beaufort, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Jones, Lenoir, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Robeson, Sampson, and Wayne counties. The governor has requested a major disaster declaration for additional counties, including Greene, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Pitt, Richmond, Scotland, and Wilson counties. Anyone with a home damaged by Florence in any county is encouraged to begin the FEMA registration process by calling 1-800-621-FEMA to register via telephone or by visiting disasterassistance.gov to register online.
Storm Debris
Residents and property owners should seek direction from their local governments on when to set out fallen limbs and other storm debris for collection. NCDOT crews will collect vegetation debris off roadways and rights of way along state-maintained roads after they have cleared. Property owners should check with their insurance agency for potential coverage of debris removal.
Donations
The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund is available for donations to support North Carolina’s response to Hurricane Florence. To donate, visit governor.nc.gov or text FLORENCE to 20222.
More Resources
The statewide information line can provide callers with nearby shelter, housing and other storm-related details. Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162, or text Florence to 898211. The information line is staffed around the clock to connect North Carolinians to storm resources. Other resources can be obtained by visiting ncdps.gov/florence or following NC Emergency Management on Facebook and Twitter.