Governor McCrory Declares State of Emergency for Three Northeastern Counties Due to Flooding | Eastern NC Now

Press Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory declared a State of Emergency for 11 counties today because of flooding from remnants of Tropical Storm Julia. The counties covered by the declaration are Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Northampton, Pasquotank and Perquimans.

    "While recent tropical storms have spared most of the state, the remnants of this storm have overwhelmed many communities in northeastern North Carolina," said Governor McCrory. "This part of the state has not seen flooding to this extent since Hurricane Floyd in 1999. Our emergency management team is working with our local partners in the hardest hit areas and remains ready to assist North Carolina residents there."

    Governor McCrory addressed the flooding earlier today. A link to video of the governor's comments can be found here.

    National Weather Service reports indicate rainfall amounts of five to nine inches across much of eastern North Carolina, while the Arrowhead Beach and Corapeake communities received more than 10 inches of rain. Windsor received more than 12 inches of rain in the past 72 hours.

    Governor McCrory declared a State of Emergency to facilitate the movement of any resources that may be needed to respond to and recover from the storm. He also issued an executive order that waives certain truck restrictions on weight and hours of service to facilitate quicker storm response.

    This morning, the state deployed five swift water rescue teams to help people stranded in floodwaters. As of this morning, 65 people have been rescued from homes and vehicles in Bertie County area. A Greenville-based medical evacuation bus is currently headed east to Bertie County to assist with the evacuation of a nursing home housing 52 residents.

    Schools were closed today in Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Gates, Hertford and Perquimans counties. Schools were delayed in Elizabeth City and Pasquotank, Northampton, Currituck and Halifax counties.

    One shelter was open overnight in Bertie County to house about 20 people.

    On behalf of Governor McCrory, State Transportation Secretary Nick Tennyson toured parts of Bertie and Chowan counties today to survey the extent of recent flooding and assess damage to roadways and bridges. Several roads remain impassable in the affected counties. US-13 in Windsor, NC 32 in Edenton and NC 37 in Gatesville are major roads that are currently closed.

    "Governor McCrory and I urge citizens to be safe. Pay attention to warning signs and avoid areas where roads are flooded," Secretary Tennyson said. "Our transportation crews have already begun to assist local officials by warning motorists and barricading flooded areas. As the waters recede, we will act quickly to make necessary repairs."

    For the latest road closings, click here and monitor NCDOT on Twitter. Emergency Management officials remind everyone when they encounter flooded roads to remember, "Turn around, don't drown."

    Latest reports indicate that waters are still rising and may peak later this afternoon. The Cashie River has reached record levels and nearly 60 homes are reported to have water inside the livable space.

    Click here to view Executive Orders 103 and 104.

• Contact: McCrory Communications
•     govpress@nc.gov