As Hurricane Nate made landfall on the Gulf Coast and moved northward through western North Carolina as a Tropical Depression, many counties, including Ashe, Burke and Caldwell counties, saw damaging effects.
"State Emergency Management has been working closely with county partners and monitoring the severe weather caused by Hurricane Nate as it moves through Western North Carolina," said Governor Cooper. "We are thinking about all those who have been impacted and appreciate our strong county and municipal partners and volunteer agencies who have responded as necessary. The state stands ready to assist as needed."
Emergency Management has been in contact with county partners throughout the day to offer assistance. No state resources have been requested at this time.
Nate is predicted to bring three to six inches of rain to parts of Western North Carolina through Monday morning with up to 10 inches possible in isolated spots. There have been reports of power outages, damaged homes, and roads closed by debris. There is also a shelter opened in Caldwell County for displaced residents.
Wind damage was reported earlier this evening in the communities of Hudson, Mount Herman and Cedar Rock (Caldwell County) and Connelly Springs (Burke County), including some damage to structures and power lines, causing outages.
Rescuers freed several people who were trapped in homes by fallen trees. One injury has been reported so far, in Burke County. At 9:30 pm approximately 12,000 homes and businesses were without power in western counties.