>> Good morning, everybody.

Thank you for joining our briefing today for the last couple of days.

We've been preparing for a dangerous winter storm that will threaten North Carolina later tonight and tomorrow.

Our forecasters expect significant impacts across our state.

If you haven't already now is the time to get prepared.

This storm's a menace.

As much as a foot of snow is expected to fall in the mountains and foothills and in central North Carolina freezing rain and sleet on top of some snow will fall.

The eastern part of our state expects heavy rain and flash flooding.

Plus high wind gusts.

Regardless of where you live pay close attention to your local weather forecast to get prepared.

And you know whether it's too dangerous to go out.

Plan to stay home tomorrow Sunday.

Today make sure you have groceries medications and other essentials like water batteries and pet food that you'll need for the next few days.

You can go to ready NC .gov for guidelines on how to put together a family emergency kit.

Our state Highway Patrol advises staying off the roads in most parts of the state on Sunday and Monday if you can this will protect you and your family and help the road and utility crews do their work.

If you have to travel make sure you check drive NC .gov for updated information on road conditions and closures.

Our emergency management team expects ice and wind to bring down some trees and power lines.

We're in contact with utility companies in advance of expected power outages.

Duke energy tells us they are bringing in extra crews from other parts of the country to help out.

I spoke with Duke energy CEO Lynn good this morning.

And she's promised activate 10,000 people to deal with this.

Our Department of Transportation along with local governments across the state have applied salt and brine the roads to help make them safe.

And I've declared a state of emergency to ease transportation rules.

An aide with storm preparation and response.

Shelters will be opened if necessary.

Have also activated 200 National Guard soldiers to assist in storm response.

The National Guard will work in western and central counties to help with transportation.

They're equipped with emergency response vehicles that can move through the snow such as honey bees and four-wheel drive ambulances.

The state's National Guard and Department of Transportation teams at trouble spots on our interstates we thank the citizen soldiers and all of the emergency responders in advance for your service during the store.

If your power goes out and you're trying to stay warm at home remember to keep generators outside and away from open windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Never burn charcoal indoors or use a gas grill indoors.

And remember to only use 911 for true emergency power outages should be poor reported to your utility company.

Joining me today are transportation secretary Eric Boyette.

Public safety secretary any Buffalo.

Health and Human Services Secretary Cody Kinsley.

Colonel Freddy Johnson, the commander of the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

And emergency management chief of staff.

Don Campbell.

Our American sign language interpreters Monica muddy muddy and behind the scenes, Jackie and jasmine but a beer, our Spanish language interpreters.

First we'll hear from emergency management chief of staff, Don Campbell.

Thank you governor and good morning.

As of 8 o'clock this morning we have activated the state emergency operations center and state emergency response teams for the winter storm response.

>> The search and partner agencies are standing by and ready to assist we're incredibly proud of the team here and at the local level safety professionals and essential workers who have been working this week and into the weekend to prepare and respond to the storm.

We're prepared to assist our local and state partners with storm related needs as we move through this event.

We're continuing to coordinate with counties making sure that we are ready to open shelters or warming centers as needed where there may be areas of prolonged power outages as well as monitoring several critical infrastructure sectors for impacts such as health care well, we know they're already impacted by COVID-19.

We're also continuing to coordinate with private sectors of partners who are responsible for critical infrastructure like telecommunications companies and our electric utilities.

To ensure our first responders are available for emergency response please only dial 911 for life safety events and report any power outages to your service provider directly.

As the governor said today is the day to be wrapping up your personal preparedness task before the storm arrives.

If you need guidance on your winter storm preparations please visit ready NC .gov website for personal preparedness resources.

And after the storm arrives please go to ready NC .gov on up to date information on power outages where shelters may be open and other resources.

Thank you.

>> Thank you Don next we will hear from North Carolina Department of Transportation secretary Eric Boyette.

>> Thank you governor and C dot we have been preparing for this storm system and we want all of our North Carolinians to be ready to if you haven't already get your emergency supplies anything else that you may need today as the governor saying more than 1200 dot employees and contractors have been working hard to pre treat our road since Thursday.

Our crews have spread nearly 2 and a half million gallons of brine and to prepare our equipment for post storm response our crews are ready to respond after the storm hits and we will plow and Diaz routes could inch of download trees and remove debris.

We have more than a 160,000 tons of salt on hand and over 400 trucks staged and ready to go.

We are doing our part but we need everyone else to do their part too.

Once the storm hits later today and tonight please stay home.

We're expecting the storm to impact years all across our state understand that like all industries in C dot staff and our contract resources have been impacted by COVID-19 and labor shortages.

We may not be able to respond in your area as quickly as we have in the past.

But please rest assured our crews and contractors will get our roads open as soon as possible.

Travel could be greatly impacted for several days after the storm.

Please stay off the roads protect yourself and your families avoid driving and if you must travel please be patient and stay safe.

We would do everything we can to reopen roads as quickly as possible.

Thanks secretary boy yet.

Now we will hear from colonel Fred Johnson, the commander of the North Carolina Highway Patrol colonel Johnson.

>> Thank you governor Cooper.

>> The state Highway Patrol stands ready to assist as we await the incoming winter storm.

Our sworn and civilian members across the state are currently making preparations for what this storm will bring.

Our message is the same as that expressed by the governor.

The public safety is paramount.

As we prepare so should the public.

Tomorrow we'll certainly bring deteriorating driving conditions that today is the time to plan.

Only those who must drive should be on the roadways in the affected areas tomorrow.

And those driving most insure their vehicles are ready and they are ready.

Tips such as checking tire pressure wiper conditions and making sure all the lights are in good working order are central.

Additionally make sure you have an emergency kit that includes items listed on the ready NC .gov Web page because you never know what you my face.

If you're involved in a collision remove your vehicle from the roadway at the collision is minor in nature.

And he's always slow down and keep a watch out for first responders and crews working alongside the roadway during and after the storm.

For up to date roadway conditions please visit drive in C .gov and avoid calling 911 or star HP unless it's an emergency.

Thank you governor.

>> Thank you.

Colonel Johnson, we also have with us secretary Cody Kinsley and Eddie Buffalo.

But we also have the as you can general of the National Guard Todd hunt who is with us today.

Please take time today to prepare your family for this storm and follow updated forecast in severe weather impacts now take questions.

All right we've got to focus on the fire.

>> Our first question is from Adam Owens WRAL.

Good morning, Sir.

The first question is about supplies at stores, we've seen some stores and the like they're doing OK. Others like they're running out of certain supplies that no supply chain issues.

You are hearing about are causing a problem there and if anything could be done about it in the second question I have is in regards to some stands.

We're already hearing about from viewers.

One of them are couple of them telling us that they're getting contacted saying their power might be turned off if they don't to pay a fee.

I'm just your thoughts on those 2 things.

>> But first we want families to be prepared and a number of them have been getting ready for the last couple of days, so it's a natural occurrence that stores would begin running low on surprised that we know people will need.

We hope people will take time today to check around to find a things that they would need for their home.

I'm gonna let chief of staff, Don Campbell with emergency management may be addressed at a little bit further.

And remember with with scammers anybody who contacts you over the phone or food through an e-mail that is trying to get you to give them information about you is usually a scam your utility company has your information about you.

And we want to keep people as safe as possible from scams.

We want to make sure we work with the attorney general's office on that you have anything to add a splash.

Our chief staff Campbell.

Thank you governor, thank you for the question.

>> We don't have any indication that there are challenges in addition to what we've already seen of challenges with the supply chain specifically we're in happy to see that individuals are going out and purchasing the items that they need for their preparedness kit.

One reminder that we do have is that individuals focus on what they would need for the next 2 to 3 days and not to take more than they need in the stores, however we're very happy to see the storms are very quickly being able to replenish as we have continued trucks on the road today and early tomorrow until the storm at heart starts to turn a little bit more said thank you.

>> That's all the questions that we have thank you very much for being with us today and stay careful out there, thank you.

Good morning, everybody.

Thank you for joining our briefing today for the last couple of days.

We've been preparing for a dangerous winter storm that will threaten North Carolina later tonight and tomorrow.

Our forecasters expect significant impacts across our state.

If you haven't already now is the time to get prepared.

This storm's a menace.

As much as a foot of snow is expected to fall in the mountains and foothills and in central North Carolina freezing rain and sleet on top of some snow will fall.

The eastern part of our state expects heavy rain and flash flooding.

Plus high wind gusts.

Regardless of where you live pay close attention to your local weather forecast to get prepared.

And you know whether it's too dangerous to go out.

Plan to stay home tomorrow Sunday.

Today make sure you have groceries medications and other essentials like water batteries and pet food that you'll need for the next few days.

You can go to ready NC .gov for guidelines on how to put together a family emergency kit.

Our state Highway Patrol advises staying off the roads in most parts of the state on Sunday and Monday if you can this will protect you and your family and help the road and utility crews do their work.

If you have to travel make sure you check drive NC .gov for updated information on road conditions and closures.

Our emergency management team expects ice and wind to bring down some trees and power lines.

We're in contact with utility companies in advance of expected power outages.

Duke energy tells us they are bringing in extra crews from other parts of the country to help out.

I spoke with Duke energy CEO Lynn good this morning.

And she's promised to activate 10,000 people to deal with this.

Our Department of Transportation along with local governments across the state have applied salt and brine the roads to help make them safe.

And I've declared a state of emergency to ease transportation rules.

An aide with storm preparation and response.

Shelters will be opened if necessary.

Have also activated 200 National Guard soldiers to assist in storm response.

The National Guard will work in western and central counties to help with transportation.

They're equipped with emergency response vehicles that can move through the snow such as honey bees and four-wheel drive ambulances.

The state's National Guard and Department of Transportation teams at trouble spots on our interstates we thank the citizen soldiers and all of the emergency responders in advance for your service during the store.

If your power goes out and you're trying to stay warm at home remember to keep generators outside and away from open windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Never burn charcoal indoors or use a gas grill indoors.

And remember to only use 911 for true emergency power outages should be poor reported to your utility company.

Joining me today are transportation secretary Eric Boyette.

Public safety secretary any Buffalo.

Health and Human Services Secretary Cody Kinsley.

Colonel Freddy Johnson, the commander of the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

And emergency management chief of staff.

Don Campbell.

Our American sign language interpreters Monica muddy muddy and behind the scenes, Jackie and jasmine but a beer.

Our Spanish language interpreters.

First we'll hear from emergency management chief of staff, Don Campbell.

Thank you governor and good morning.

As of 8 o'clock this morning we have activated the state emergency operations center and state emergency response teams for the winter storm response.

>> The search and partner agencies are standing by and ready to assist we're incredibly proud of the team here and at the local level safety professionals and essential workers who have been working this week and into the weekend to prepare and respond to the storm.

We're prepared to assist our local and state partners with storm related needs as we move through this event.

We're continuing to coordinate with counties making sure that we are ready to open shelters or warming centers as needed where there may be areas of prolonged power outages as well as monitoring several critical infrastructure sectors for impacts such as health care what we know they're already impacted by COVID-19.

We're also continuing to coordinate with private sectors of partners who are responsible for critical infrastructure like telecommunications companies and our electric utilities.

To ensure our first responders are available for emergency response please only dial 911 for life safety events and report any power outages to your service provider directly.

As the governor said today is the day to be wrapping up your personal preparedness task before the storm arrives.

If you need guidance on your winter storm preparations please visit ready NC .gov website for personal preparedness resources.

And after the storm arrives please go to ready NC .gov on up to date information on power outages where shelters may be open and other resources.

Thank you.

>> Thank you Don next we will hear from North Carolina Department of Transportation secretary Eric Boyette.

>> Thank you governor and C dot we have been preparing for this storm system and we want all of our North Carolinians to be ready to if you haven't already get your emergency supplies anything else that you may need today as the governor saying more than 1200 dot employees and contractors have been working hard to pre treat our road since Thursday.

Our crews have spread nearly 2 and a half million gallons of brine and prepared our equipment for post storm response our crews are ready to respond after the storm hits and we will plow and Diaz routes could inch of download trees and remove debris.

We have more than a 160,000 tons of salt on hand and over 400 trucks staged and ready to go.

We are doing our part but we need everyone else to do their part too.

Once the storm hits later today and tonight please stay home.

We're expecting the storm to impact years all across our state understand that like all industries NC dot staff and our contract resources have been impacted by COVID-19 and labor shortages.

We may not be able to respond in your area as quickly as we have in the past.

But please rest assured our crews and contractors will get our roads open as soon as possible.

Travel could be greatly impacted for several days after the storm.

Please stay off the roads protect yourself and your families avoid driving and if you must travel please be patient and stay safe.

We would do everything we can to reopen roads as quickly as possible.

Thanks secretary boy yet.

Now we will hear from colonel Fred Johnson, the commander of the North Carolina Highway Patrol colonel Johnson.

>> Thank you governor Cooper.

>> The state Highway Patrol stands ready to assist as we await the incoming winter storm.

Our sworn and civilian members across the state are currently making preparations for what this storm will bring.

Our message is the same as that expressed by the governor.

The public safety is paramount.

As we prepare so should the public.

Tomorrow we'll certainly bring deteriorating driving conditions that today is the time to plan.

Only those who must drive should be on the roadways in the affected areas tomorrow.

And those driving most insure their vehicles are ready and they are ready.

Tips such as checking tire pressure wiper conditions and making sure all the lights are in good working order are central.

Additionally make sure you have an emergency kit that includes items listed on the ready NC .gov Web page because you never know what you my face.

If you're involved in a collision remove your vehicle from the roadway at the collision is minor in nature.

And he's always slow down and keep a watch out for first responders and crews working alongside the roadway during and after the storm.

For up to date roadway conditions please visit drive in C .gov and avoid calling 911 or star HP unless it's an emergency.

Thank you governor.

>> Thank you.

Colonel Johnson, we also have with us secretaries Cody Kinsley and Eddie Buffalo.

But we also have the as you can general of the National Guard Todd hunt who is with us today.

Please take time today to prepare your family for this storm and follow updated forecast in severe weather impacts now take questions.

All right we've got to focus on the fire.

>> Our first question is from Adam Owens WRAL.

Good morning, Sir.

The first question is about supplies at stores, we've seen some stores and the like they're doing OK. Others like they're running out of certain supplies that no supply chain issues.

You are hearing about are causing a problem there and if anything could be done about it in the second question I have.

>> Is in regards to some scams we're already hearing about from viewers.

One of them are couple of them telling us that they're getting contacted saying their power might be turned off if they don't to pay a fee.

I'm just your thoughts on those 2 things.

>> First we want families to be prepared and a number of them have been getting ready for the last couple of days, so it's a natural occurrence that stores would begin running low on surprised that we know people will need.

We hope people will take time today to check around to find a things that they would need for their home.

I'm gonna let chief of staff, Don Campbell with emergency management may be addressed at a little bit further.

And remember with with scammers anybody who contacts you over the phone or through an e-mail that is trying to get you to give them information about you is usually a scam your utility company has your information about you and we want to keep people as safe as possible from scams.

We want to make sure we work with the attorney general's office on that you have anything to add a splash.

Our chief staff Campbell.

Thank you governor, thank you for the question.

>> We don't have any indication that there are challenges in addition to what we've already seen of challenges with the supply chain specifically we're in happy to see that individuals are going out and purchasing the items that they need for their preparedness kit one reminder that we do have is that individuals focus on what they would need for the next 2 to 3 days and not to take more than they need in the stores, however we're very happy to see the storms are very quickly being able to replenish as we have continued trucks on the road today and early tomorrow until the storm at heart starts to turn a little bit more said thank you.

That's all the questions that we have thank you very much for being with us today and stay careful out there, thank you.