Topics Related to ReadyNC

The State Emergency Response Team has activated the Joint Information Center in response to the winter storm impacting most of the state.

Located in the State Emergency Operations Center at 1636 Gold Star Drive in Raleigh, the JIC will coordinate the release of information regarding state storm preparation and response. Individuals are on duty to gather the latest information and assist reporters interested in covering the state’s response to the storm. Additionally, state officials will use this center to conduct media briefings as needed.
As North Carolina braces for a second widespread winter storm in less than a month, Governor Roy Cooper today declared a state of emergency and urged North Carolinians to stay off the roads when travel becomes dangerous.

“Nearly all of North Carolina will be impacted by this winter storm, and we’re making sure North Carolina is ready,” Gov. Cooper said. “I urge all of our residents to be prepared and to stay safe.”
Road conditions on major interstates and highways in North Carolina are greatly improved today and Department of Transportation crews have turned their attention to clearing secondary roads, but there are still many patches of black ice and drivers should continue to be cautious, Governor Roy Cooper advised.
A strong winter storm moved quickly through North Carolina Wednesday night into Thursday, leaving three deaths, significant snow, and scattered power outages, Governor Roy Cooper said Thursday. While the snow will end by mid-day, bitterly cold temperatures will remain through the weekend, and refreezing will make it difficult to clear roads.
State officials are preparing for North Carolina’s first winter storm of 2018 and people in areas that could see snow are encouraged to do the same, Governor Roy Cooper said Tuesday.

A winter storm watch begins Wednesday for many eastern North Carolina counties and snowfall is expected across the coastal plain on Wednesday afternoon and night. Bitter cold air from an arctic high pressure system means temperatures statewide are expected to average well below normal for the rest of the week.
State emergency and transportation officials are closely monitoring weather and road conditions, and are ready to respond if needed as North Carolina receives the season’s first blast of winter weather, Governor Roy Cooper said Friday.
Governor Roy Cooper today announced that financial assistance is available through the U.S. Small Business Administration for residents affected by storms that struck Watauga and surrounding counties last month. This SBA disaster declaration makes low-interest loans available to home and business owners and renters in those areas. Governor Cooper requested this federal assistance in a letter to the SBA last week.
Cleanup and damage assessment work continues in several western North Carolina counties after Monday’s strong storms and tornadoes.

One person died this morning during that cleanup work. A 31-year-old tree service contractor for a utility company was killed early Wednesday morning while working to clear a tree from a power line in Alexander County. The worker was crushed when the tree snapped back and fell on him.
A line of strong storms moved across North Carolina Monday afternoon and evening devastating a regional airport, damaging dozens of homes, toppling trees, closing roads and leaving several western North Carolina communities without power.“While this band of storms brought high wind, rains and some damage, we’re fortunate that we’ve had no reports of serious injuries or loss of life,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Today, communities are surveying the damage and beginning the cleanup, and our state experts stand ready to help however needed.”
Governor Roy Cooper reminded North Carolinians to remain ready and aware as the state begins to feel rain and winds from Hurricane Irma later today. National Guard soldiers, Highway Patrol troopers and rescue teams are poised and ready to go if needed.“We’re grateful that the brunt of the storm will miss us, but our entire state will see some impacts from Irma and especially Western North Carolina,” Governor Cooper said. “Things are looking better for North Carolina, but we’re not out of the woods yet and we don’t want any surprises.”