GREENSBORO, N.C. — North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has declared a State of Emergency in anticipation of Hurricane Idalia.
A state of emergency activates the state's emergency operations plan and waives transportation rules to help get fuel and critical supplies wherever they need to go. It also helps the agricultural industry prepare in advance for bad weather and protects consumers from price gouging.
Idalia is expected to become the second major hurricane in the Atlantic Basin before it makes landfall on Wednesday morning along Florida's Big Bend, which is the coastal area between the panhandle and peninsula of the state.
“We are continuing to monitor Idalia’s course and its potential impacts on our state and it’s critical to make sure we are fully prepared,” Governor Cooper said. “It is important for North Carolinians to gather emergency kits and prepare for the storm before it’s too late. We also want to make sure our farmers are able to protect their crops.”
The Governor and state officials advise the following tips to make sure people are personally prepared:
- Have multiple ways to receive emergency information, including watches and warnings. Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on a cell phone and download a weather app.
- Have an emergency plan. Know where to go if there’s a need to evacuate. Make a plan to stay with family, friends or at a hotel. Public shelters should be a last resort.
- Gather some emergency supplies or refresh an emergency kit. Visit ReadyNC.gov for info on how to build an emergency kit.
- If people live near or are visiting the coast, be aware if you are located in a coastal evacuation zone. Visit KnowYourZone.nc.gov to see if you are located in a pre-determined evacuation zone. Learn your zone and listen for it if evacuations are ordered by local governments.
- Never drive through flooded roadways. Turn around, don’t drown.
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