RALEIGH — North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory issued a State of Emergency for 33 eastern counties in preparation for the arrival of Tropical Storm Hermine, his office said in a release. McCrory met with Public Safety Secretary Frank Perry and Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry Thursday afternoon in preparation for the storm that is forecast to drop as much as eight inches of rain on parts of North Carolina.
“We are working together across multiple agencies throughout North Carolina to make sure we are over prepared and underwhelmed for this storm because we want people to safely enjoy their Labor Day vacation in North Carolina,” McCrory said. “Safety always remains our top priority.”
The state is urging residents to be prepared for possible flooding and to be safe.
“We want everyone to be extremely careful on the road and remember to ‘Turn around, don’t drown,” Perry said. “Please continue to monitor your local weather station.”
By announcing a State of Emergency and also issuing an executive order waiving some truck restrictions, the state can adequately prepare and react to any repercussions from the storm, the release said.
Hermine, which was a tropical storm Thursday afternoon but was expected to reach hurricane status before reaching Florida, is projected to reach North Carolina Friday and move through the state.
