North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper provided an update Tuesday afternoon on the effects of Tropical Storm Isaias.
Cooper declared a state of emergency Friday and released guidelines for evacuations and sheltering information for COVID-19.
Cleanup is underway after Tropical Storm Isaias made landfall overnight leaving hundreds of thousands without power and more.
Isaias landed a little after 11 p.m. at Ocean Isle Beach with 85 mph winds and storm surge of 3-5 feet, leaving behind a trail of damage, according to officials.
“Several of our eastern counties were hit hard by this storm,” Cooper said.
Cooper said damaging winds and likely tornadoes spun out from storm, including one in Bertie County that killed two people and sent about a dozen others to the hospital.
“Our thoughts are with family and friends who are mourning loved ones and with those who were hurt or had damage,” he said.
According to emergency leaders, many communities in the southeast have closed streets and set curfews and state parks in the southeast have also been closed.
Cooper said over 172,000 homes are without power as of 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. “Line workers have been out since early this morning working to get the lights back on, and we thank them,” he said.
Emergency leaders said shelters housed evacuees safely at the height of the storm, with about 24 shelters open.
“There were reports of missing children but on the information, we’ve just received from local authorities that has been determined not to be the case,” Cooper said. “Our state has recovered from some fierce storms over the years. As we pick up the pieces today, let’s harness that spirit of recovery and resilience that has gotten us through tough times before.”
Leaders said if you encounter barriers closing a road, turn around and find another route.
Officials recommend to not drive around barriers which could lead you into floodwaters or onto damaged roads.
Director Mike Sprayberry said one of the emergency team’s swift water rescue teams rescued two individuals from a flooded home in Bertie County.
“Members from state search and rescue task forces assisted today with the search in Bertie County where a tornado touchdown is suspected,” Sprayberry said. “Dare County has completed its damage assessment on Hatteras Island and with limited impacts, the island reopened to residents and visitors today at 2 p.m.”
Leaders said structure fires and house fires erupted in several coastal communities in Brunswick County making for a very difficult night for firefighters who were fighting fires and managing local rescue and response operations.
Officials said power outages peaked at about 7 a.m. Tuesday morning, with roughly 375,000 homes and businesses without power.
The emergency team said utility crews started restoration work early this morning and said outages are rapidly trending down.
Leaders recommend turning around and finding another route if you encounter barriers closing a road. Do not drive around barriers which could lead you into floodwaters or onto damaged roads.
Secretary Boyette said there are 16 storm-related road closures as of 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon but said those numbers could change as DOT crews finalize assessments.
He said the storm also impacted services with the Division of Motor Vehicles.
“If you are traveling, we urge everyone to be patient and be careful,” Boyette said.