Press Releases

RALEIGH: State and federal emergency management experts are in western North Carolina to begin surveying destruction caused by last week’s torrential rains and mudslides to determine what help individuals and communities may need to recover, Governor Roy Cooper said Tuesday.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Governor’s Cr

Members of a North Carolina incident management team that has been serving in Hawaii since May 19 returned home this weekend, and a larger team of 14 North Carolina emergency managers has replaced them. 

Cleanup and damage assessments are beginning in North Carolina’s western counties, but hazards remain due to high water levels and saturated ground.

While rains from Alberto are tapering off across western North Carolina, emergency officials are keeping a close watch on river and lake levels as the threat of flooding, landslides and mudslides remains significant.

Governor Roy Cooper will declare a State of Emergency for western North Carolina after heavy rains overnight prompted mudslides in multiple communities, closed portions of I-40 east of Asheville and triggered evacuations of Old Fort and a community near Lake Tahoma in McDowell County.

Though Subtropical Depression Alberto is weakening, the threat of additional rain means North Carolinians need to remain vigilant and watch for area flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in the mountains, Governor Roy Cooper said today.

As Subtropical Storm Alberto continues to bring heavy rains, flooding and the potential for landslides to North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper urged residents to take seriously the storm, which has claimed two lives in the state.

Governor Roy Cooper and State Public Safety officials are making preparations for the potential of heavy amounts of rain in many parts of the state due to Subtropical Storm Alberto. The storm is expected to transition to a tropical storm later today or tomorrow. 

The suspect sought in the murder investigation of Trooper S. N. Bullard is in custody after an extensive search by state and local authorities.  On Wednesday, May 23 at approximately 3:30 a.m., investigators arrested Dakota Kape Whitt, 22, of Elkin without incident.