Press Releases

Dangerous conditions from Hurricane Florence have already claimed three lives and Governor Roy Cooper is urging people to remain vigilant by seeking safe shelter and heeding warnings from emergency officials.

Governor Roy Cooper today continued to urge North Carolinians to seek safety as conditions deteriorate due to high winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge from Hurricane Florence.

Governor Roy Cooper today urged North Carolinians to stay on guard as Hurricane Florence approaches the state, bringing high winds and the threat of catastrophic and potentially record-breaking rainfall and storm surge.

Governor Roy Cooper today continued to urge North Carolinians to seek safety as conditions deteriorate due to high winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge from Hurricane Florence.

Anticipating historic major damage across North Carolina from Hurricane Florence, Governor Roy Cooper today requested a presidential disaster declaration to expedite the process of receiving federal aid for cleanup and recovery. Read the request HERE.

With this morning’s forecast showing Hurricane Florence only hours away and powerful winds set to reach North Carolina beaches and sounds tomorrow morning, Governor Roy Cooper urged residents to complete preparations and obey local authorities regarding evacuations.

Read Executive Order Here

As Hurricane Florence approaches North Carolina, shelters statewide are opening to take in people displaced by evacuations. Prisons and jails in vulnerable areas are evacuating, and long-term care facilities have been urged to work with local emergency management officials to ensure resident and patient safety. The state has announced closures of state parks, museums and other attractions. Governor Cooper has also authorized providing more North Carolina National Guard soldiers for Hurricane Florence response.

With Hurricane Florence now a category 4 hurricane, Governor Roy Cooper this evening urged North Carolina residents, businesses and visitors not to delay preparations and to follow evacuation orders. The storm is expected to make landfall near Wilmington on Thursday with impacts starting Wednesday.

Governor Roy Cooper today asked for a federal disaster declaration on behalf of North Carolina to ensure the state can get federal aid as soon as possible.