Governor McCrory Visits Kinston, Talks State Response as Floodwaters Rise | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: Stay connected to BCN for all of our many Hurricane Mathew updates.

Press Release:

    Kinston, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory joined local officials and emergency responders for a tour of Kinston today as the Neuse River is expected to crest near record levels tomorrow.

    "I have never seen anything like the compassion and teamwork I have witnessed here in Kinston," said Governor McCrory. "City and county officials, churches, volunteers and first responders have come together as a team to help those in need. While the worst may be yet to come here in Lenoir County as the Neuse River rises, our resources are in place and we are ready to respond at a moment's notice."


    The governor also warned that one of his primary concerns is keeping people out of the water. He noted that 19 of the 20 storm-related fatalities are due to drowning.

    Governor McCrory's request for a federal disaster declaration for Lenoir County was approved for both Public and Individual federal assistance. This declaration will help augment state and local costs of responding to the storm and will provide assistance for individuals to repair or rebuild damaged homes.

    The governor said that the state has significantly increased the emergency personnel and resources in Lenoir County in preparation for the Neuse River cresting tomorrow night. More than 150 NC National Guard troops, 50 State Highway Patrol troopers, swift water rescue teams, forestry officers and emergency management personnel are all on the ground in Kinston. Additionally, resources including food, water, fuel and sandbags have been sent to the area.

    The governor thanked corporate partners, including Coca Cola and Pepsi, along with the North Carolina Beverage Association for sending truckloads of water to Kinston.

    There are currently two shelters open in Lenoir County with 205 occupants. The governor said these numbers are expected to rise in the coming days. The Lenoir County shelters have the capacity for up to 1,600 occupants.

    Several roads in Lenoir County have been impacted by flooding. NC 55 is currently closed in both directions in Lenoir County near Kinston. Additionally, transportation officials closed US 70 near Kinston last night due to rapidly rising floodwaters. US 258 south of Kinston remains closed at this time. For the latest information on road closings, dial 5-1-1 or visit ReadyNC.org.


    Governor McCrory also recognized that portions of Craven County along the Neuse River will be most greatly impacted on Saturday and into next week. The problems in Craven County will likely impact Cove City, Dover, Ft. Barnwell, Vanceboro and other communities in western parts of the county.

    For more information about hurricane recovery in your area, call 2-1-1. For more details about Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, go to ReadyNC.org. Follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook for the latest on Hurricane Matthew.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov