GOV. EASLEY ASSESSES STORM DAMAGE FROM JEANNE

Directs state resources to assist with cleanup and recovery

“Our state appears to have escaped major, widespread damage as a result of this storm,” said Easley.  “However, there are isolated areas of the state where our response teams are out in full force today assessing the damage and providing assistance to those who suffered loss.  I want our citizens to know the state is here to support them.”

Nine tornados were confirmed to have touched down in the state since yesterday, with most of them causing only minor damage.  The counties that had tornados were Moore, Wake, Richmond and Martin.  Moore County appears to be the hardest-hit area.  An initial assessment found about 120 buildings with damage, mostly in Southern Pines.  A more complete damage assessment is being conducted today.  The impacted area is currently restricted to residents only.  The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) sent additional law enforcement officers last night to Moore County to assist local police with traffic and security.

The highest rain amounts were in the western Piedmont, 2.67 inches at Monroe, and 2.46 inches at Winston-Salem.  A tornado watch is in effect for the northeastern part of the state (Warren County east) until 5 p.m. today.  Also, a flood warning has been issued for Stokes County where the Dan River is expected to overtop its banks during the next couple of days. 

Two shelters were open in Cabarrus County overnight housing 17 people.  There were scattered power outages across the state but fewer than 2,000 customers were still without power this morning. 

The N.C. Department of Transportation is reporting isolated road closings in the Piedmont, Sandhills and western North Carolina due to high wind and tree damage associated with the storm.  Crews have been working around-the-clock to clear the debris that blocked roads in Moore County.  In addition, N.C. 24/27 in Stanly County is closed in Locust as well as a section of U.S. 601 near the South Carolina line in Union County due to high water.

The 11 Urban Search and Rescue Teams in the state were placed on alert Monday in advance of the storm.  Two of the state’s Swift Water Rescue Teams were pre-deployed to the Emergency Management Western Branch Office in Conover, and six Helicopter Rescue Technicians were stationed at the Air National Guard Aviation Facility in Salisbury.

Yesterday, Easley declared a state of emergency for North Carolina as Tropical Storm Jeanne approached the state.  Easley also activated 300 N.C. National Guard soldiers to help with storm response.  These guardsmen, equipped with high-clearance vehicles, were equally assigned to the three emergency management branch offices in Butner, Conover and Kinston.  Helicopter and generator teams were also on duty.  The State Highway Patrol’s entire force was placed on alert status and several squads were deployed to the hardest-hit areas of the state to assist with local efforts.

In addition, Easley activated North Carolina’s emergency information bilingual hotline to provide callers with details about Jeanne.  The hotline provides updated weather information, highway closings, shelter information, feeding sites and will also serve as a referral line for people in need of help following the storm.  English and Spanish speaking people should call toll-free 1-888-835-9966; deaf and hard of hearing people may call 1-877-877-1765.  The hotline is also continuing to accept donations to the N.C. Disaster Relief Fund for the victims of recent storms.

More information on flood safety is available at www.nccrimecontrol.org/severeweather.  Flood recovery information is available at www.dhhs.state.nc.us/docs/hurricane.htm.  Specific road condition information is available at www.ncsmartlink.org or by calling 511.  A fact sheet on landslides is available on DENR’s web site at http://www.enr.state.nc.us/html/hurricane.html.