WELL, GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.

AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

WE WANT TO TAKE.

TAKE THIS TIME TO GIVE YOU THE LATEST UPDATES ON HURRICANE HELENE AS IT CLOSES IN ON NORTH CAROLINA.

THIS IS AN UNUSUALLY DANGEROUS STORM THAT THREATENS TO BRING HEAVY RAIN AND POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC FLOODING TONIGHT AND TOMORROW FOR CENTRAL AND PARTICULARLY WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

WHEN TROPICAL WEATHER CROSSES INTO OUR MOUNTAINS, IT CAN BE DEADLY.

JUST A FEW YEARS AGO, TROPICAL STORM FRED SHOCKED MOUNTAIN REGIONS WITH TORRENTIAL RAIN SWEEPING AWAY HOMES.

BRIDGES AND LIVES.

WITH HELENE.

THIS CAN HAPPEN AGAIN.

JUST LAST WEEK WE WERE REMINDED OF THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF SEVERE WEATHER IN NORTH CAROLINA AS A COASTAL STORM BROUGHT 20 PLUS INCHES OF RAIN ON PARTS OF SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

WITH HURRICANE HELENE.

WE HAVE TO BE CLEAR HERE.

HEAVY RAINS AND WINDS ARE COMING.

THEY WEAR.

AND PREPARE.

TRAVEL WILL BE DANGEROUS.

FLOODING IS LIKELY AND WE ARE PREPARING FOR UNEXPECTED CONDITIONS.

OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH OUR FRIENDS IN FLORIDA AND OTHER SOUTHERN STATES THAT ARE BEING HIT FIRST.

AND OUR PRIORITY HERE IS TO PROTECT LIVES AND MANAGE THE IMPACT OF THE STORM ON OUR COMMUNITIES HERE IN OUR STATE AS IT ARRIVES.

HELENE IS FORECAST TO BRING MORE THAN A FOOT OF RAIN TO PARTS OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, WHICH WILL LIKELY CAUSE SIGNIFICANT FLASH FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, DAMAGING TO BRIEF LOWS SLOPE FAILURES ACROSS STEEP TERRAIN AND RIVER FLOODING.

EVEN AREAS THAT DON'T TYPICALLY EXPERIENCE IT MAY SEE FLOODING.

CITIES LIKE CHARLOTTE, NASHVILLE COULD SEE FLASH FLOODING DESPITE NOT BEING IN THE STORM'S DIRECT PATH.

TO PREPARE ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS SHOULD TUNE IN TO WEATHER ALERTS TODAY AND THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA LATER TODAY AND INTO FRIDAY WITH ON AND WITH ALREADY SATURATED SOILS FROM EARLIER RAINS FALLING TREES COULD CAUSE WIDESPREAD POWER OUTAGES.

AS OF THIS MORNING THERE ABOUT 14,000 ESTIMATED POWER OUTAGES.

STATE WIDE.

THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR TORNADOES WITH THIS STORM SYSTEM AS WELL, WHICH CAN QUICKLY SPENT UP WITH LITTLE WARNING.

THIS STORM PATH IS WIDE AND ITS IMPACTS WILL BE FELT FAR FROM THE CENTER OF THE STORM.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER IS COMMUNICATING WITH LOCAL LEADERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAMS ACROSS OUR STATE.

I HAVE ACTIVATED 175 SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD.

AND WE'VE DEPLOYED NORTH CAROLINA SWIFT WATER RESCUE TEAMS AND URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS TO ASSIST IN THE RESPONSE AND TO SAVE LIVES.

OUR DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS STANDING READY TO RESPOND TO ROAD CLOSURES AND REPAIR THE DAMAGE.

WE'VE SPOKEN TO DUKE ENERGY AND KNOW THAT LINE WORKERS ARE STANDING BY TO RESTORE POWER.

YESTERDAY I DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY TO HELP MOVE SUPPLIES LIKE WATER, FOOD AND MEDICINE, HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND TO SUPPORT AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS BEFORE THE STORM ARRIVES.

IF YOU DO NOT NEED TO TRAVEL.

PLEASE STAY OFF THE ROADWAYS, ESPECIALLY IN THE FOOTHILLS AND THE MOUNTAINS.

DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODWATERS.

WE HAVE LOST TOO MANY NORTH CAROLINIANS WHO HAVE DRIVEN AROUND BARRICADES AND INTO FLOOD WATERS, INCLUDING ONE JUST LAST WEEK IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY.

YOU CANNOT TELL THE DEPTH OF WATER JUST BY LOOKING AT IT FROM YOUR VEHICLE.

TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN.

IF YOU ARE TOLD TO EVACUATE.

GET OUT OF THE DANGER ZONE.

MAKE A PLAN NOW TO STAY WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY.

IF YOU ARE IN AN AREA THAT COULD LIKELY BE FLOODED.

AND I THINK THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THESE IN THE MOUNTAINS THAT COULD BE THIS WAY.

PLEASE STAY INFORMED TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

AND YOUR FAMILY.

TODAY.

I'M JOINED BY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR WILL RE OUR SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND EDDIE BUFFALOE, THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD.

MAJOR GENERAL TODD HUNT.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, CHRIS PEOPLES.

THE COMMANDER OF THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE HIGHWAY PATROL COLONEL FREDDY JOHNSON.

FEMA FIELD COORDINATING OFFICER CRAIG LEVY.

OUR AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS ARE BRIAN TIPTON AND MARK LINEBERGER BEHIND THE SCENES.

OUR SPANISH LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS.

JASMINE METIVIER AND TAMARA CABRERA.

THIS TIME I'LL ASK DIRECTOR WRAY FOR HIS UPDATE, DIRECTOR WRAY.

THANK YOU, GOVERNOR COOPER AND GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, NORTH CAROLINA HAS BEGUN TO EXPERIENCE THE IMPACTS OF HELENE, WHICH WILL CONTINUE INTO SATURDAY.

THE IMPACTS OF HELENE SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED AND ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS SHOULD REMAIN INFORMED.

HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND SHOULD TAKE THIS STORM SERIOUSLY.

AS GOVERNOR COOPER SAID, THE PRIMARY THREATS TO OUR STATE INCLUDE HEAVY RAINFALL, LIFE THREATENING FLASH FLOODING.

DAMAGING LANDSLIDES, DEBRIS FLOWS AND RIVERINE FLOODING.

THOUGH THE PRIMARY IMPACTS WILL BE TO THE MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS CENTRAL AND EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA CAN EXPECT HEAVY RAINFALL, SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS AND POSSIBLE SEVERE WEATHER SUCH AS TORNADOES.

TODAY, WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA CAN EXPECT TO SEE MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF SHOWERS AND STORMS CONTINUE.

SIGNIFICANT.

FLASH FLOODS ARE LIKELY INTO TONIGHT PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL OF LEANS RAIN BANDS, TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FROM CHARLOTTE TO THE WEST AND AREAS OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA WILL RECEIVE 9 TO 14 INCHES OF RAINFALL WITH AMOUNTS UP TO OR IN EXCESS OF 20 INCHES POSSIBLE IN SOME LOCATIONS.

YESTERDAY, THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA REQUESTED AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION FROM FEMA TO PROVIDE DIRECT FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FOR WORK AND SERVICES TO SAVE LIVES AND PROTECT PROPERTY.

THAT REQUEST WAS APPROVED THIS MORNING BY THE WHITE HOUSE AND ALSO YESTERDAY, THE FEMA FEDERAL COORDINATING OFFICER AND A FEMA INCIDENT MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE TEAM FROM REGION 7.

OUR PARTNERS IN KANSAS ARRIVED TO ASSIST US HERE AT THE STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY 18 LOCAL STATES OF EMERGENCIES DECLARED.

AND WE KNOW THAT THAT NUMBER WILL CONTINUE TO GO UP AS OF THIS MORNING, THERE ARE 3 SHELTERS OPEN IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND THE NORTH CAROLINA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, HUMAN SERVICES BRANCH REMAINS IN CLOSE COORDINATION WITH OUR PARTNERS ACROSS THE STATE AND ACTIVELY PLANNING FOR THE POTENTIAL INCREASE SHELTER SUPPORT AS CONDITIONS DICTATE.

THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER HAS DEPLOYED 16 SWIFT WATER RESCUE TEAMS AND ADDED 3 ADDITIONAL SWIFT WATER RESCUE TEAMS FROM OUR COLLEAGUES IN NEW YORK, INDIANA AND ILLINOIS, THROUGH THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE COMPACT, A RESOURCE SHARING MUTUAL AID SYSTEM BETWEEN STATES.

ADDITIONALLY, OUR NORTH CAROLINA URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS ARE AT THE READY TO ASSIST SHOULD ANY LANDSLIDES OR DAMAGE TO STRUCTURES OCCUR WITH 3 NORTH CAROLINA TASK FORCE IS CURRENTLY ON STATE ORDERS.

MANY LOCAL JURISDICTIONS ACROSS OUR STATE HAVE OFFERED THEIR EMERGENCY RESOURCES TO ASSIST IMPACTED COMMUNITIES IN NORTH CAROLINA.

WE OPERATE UNDER A WHOLE OF COMMUNITY APPROACH TO DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND THE CLOSE COLLABORATION BETWEEN LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND THE SHARING OF RESOURCES.

FURTHER SOLIDIFIES THAT APPROACH.

THE NORTH CAROLINA OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL HAS ACTIVATED FIRE AND RESCUE ROSTERING SYSTEM TO IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND DEPLOY WHERE NEEDED THESE RESOURCES INCLUDE FIRE MARSHALS, FIREFIGHTING ENGINE COMPANIES, LIGHTER COMPANIES AND THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL SWIFT WATER TEAM.

THE STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM CONTINUES TO MONITOR DAMS ACROSS THE STATE ALONG WITH OUR PARTNERS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY TO ENSURE THAT RESIDENTS ARE NOTIFIED IN THE EVENT OF AN ISSUE.

AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, PLEASE AVOID TRAVELING IF IT ALL POSSIBLE, PARTICULARLY IN THE MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS.

IF YOU MUST TRAVEL, PLEASE VISIT, DRIVENC.GOV TO CHECK ROADWAY STATUS.

THIS WEBSITE IS UPDATED REGULARLY BY THE NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

PLEASE DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH WATER AND RESPECT THE BARRICADES AND ROAD CLOSURES FOR THOSE THAT ARE IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU'RE INFORMED.

YOU HAVE A PLAN OF ACTION TO QUICKLY EVACUATE IF NECESSARY AND THAT YOU'RE RECEIVING INFORMATION FROM RELIABLE SOURCES.

SOURCES SUCH AS LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICES AND THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ENABLE EMERGENCY ALERTS ON YOUR MOBILE PHONE TO MAKE SURE YOU RECEIVE THOSE LIFE-SAVING NOTIFICATIONS.

IF YOU KNOW OF A THREAT, YOU CAN TAKE ACTION.

FLOODING MAY OCCUR OUTSIDE OF AREAS THAT NORMALLY FLOOD WITH THE FORECASTED RAINFALL TOTALS.

WE ARE SEEING.

NORTH CAROLINA'S UTILITY PARTNERS ARE ALSO ENGAGED HERE AT THE STATE.

YOU SEE IN OUR PLANNING FOR RESTORATION OPERATIONS STATEWIDE IN MANY AREAS, TREES MAY FALL DUE TO ALREADY SATURATED SOILS AND CAUSE WIDESPREAD POWER OUTAGES.

PLEASE TREAT ALL DOWNED POWER LINES AS ENERGIZED AND DO NOT APPROACH THEM.

IF YOU MUST RUN A GENERATOR OR USE A GRILL FOR OUTDOOR COOKING PLEASE DO SO AWAY FROM YOUR HOME AS CARBON MONOXIDE IS COLORLESS.

AND ODORLESS THE NORTH CAROLINA FLOODING A NATION MAPPING AN ALERT NETWORK OR FIND NONE PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE STATE'S NEARLY 600 RIVER FLOOD GAUGES.

VISIT FINEMAN DOT NC .GOV.

AND SIGN UP FOR ALERTS FOR THE GAUGES.

CLOSEST TO YOUR HOME OR YOUR COMMUNITY.

THE LINGERING IMPACTS OF TROPICAL STORM DEBBY AND POTENTIAL TROPICAL CYCLONE 8 REMAIN.

OUR RECOVERY TEAM IS MAINTAINING SUPPORT TO THOSE IMPACTED LOCAL JURISDICTIONS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS CONTINUE AND RECOVERY RESOURCES ARE BEING PROVIDED TO THOSE IMPACTED COMMUNITIES.

REMEMBER TO UTILIZE 9-1-1, ONLY FOR EMERGENCIES.

IF YOU NEED GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE STORM, PLEASE CALL 2, 1, 1, AND LEAVE EMERGENCY LINES OPEN.

REMAIN ALERT, INFORMED AND CHECK ON YOUR NEIGHBORS AND THOSE IN YOUR COMMUNITY WHO MAY NEED ASSISTANCE.

DURING A DISASTER OR MAJOR EVENT.

WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER AND MAKE FOR MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES.

FINALLY, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK THOSE THAT HAVE LEFT THEIR FAMILIES AND ALREADY WORKED LONG HOURS RESPONDING TO EMERGENCY CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE AND HAVE STAFFED EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTERS AND INCIDENT COMMAND POST ACROSS OUR STATE TO KEEP ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS SAFE.

WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SUCH DEDICATED AND PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL AND OUR STATE.

THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

THANK YOU, DIRECTOR.

ANYONE WITH QUESTIONS CAN COME TO THE MICROPHONE OVER HERE TO THE RIGHT >> ANY OF US ARE AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.

>> LAURA, LESLIE, WRAL, QUESTION FOR YOU.

YOU MENTIONED HURRICANE FRED.

WE REMEMBER THAT AND HURRICANE FRED, THERE WERE DEATHS, FOR EXAMPLE, OUT IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, AND THERE WAS.

FRUSTRATION EXPRESSED BY SOME OF THE LOCAL LEADERS OUT THERE ABOUT THIS, THE PACE OF RECOVERY AND THE PACE OF RELIEF AND AID.

WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE THEN OR WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED IN THE INTERIM THAT MIGHT MAKE THINGS BETTER IF THERE IS SUCH A TERRIBLE OUTCOME THIS TIME.

>> WE LEARN LESSONS FROM FRED.

I KNOW THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF OUR EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES THAT ARE SPACED THROUGHOUT WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

AND I MAY CALL UP DIRECTOR WRAY TO TO ADDRESS THIS SPECIFICALLY.

OFFICE ALSO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR.

PEOPLE WHERE WE EXPECT FLOODING TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES ARE SAFE IN ORDER TO AVOID LIVES.

WE HAD TO COME IN WITH STATE RECOVERY BECAUSE, FOR EXAMPLE, A LOT OF THE BRIDGES THAT WERE OUT IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA WERE NOT PUBLIC BRIDGES.

THEY WERE PRIVATE BRIDGES.

AND SO WE HELP PROVIDE FUNDING TO REBUILD A LOT OF THAT.

AND WHEN YOU'RE IN THE MOUNTAINS, JUST CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR WORK IS IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT HER MOUNTAIN AREAS, SEEING THE AMOUNT OF RAIN THAT'S ALREADY ON THE GROUND.

AND THIS STORM COMING.

I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE DEVASTATION THAT IT CAN CAUSE.

I SPENT MANY DAYS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA GETTING TO THESE PLACES THAT WE'RE DESTROYED.

SO WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE CAREFUL TO MOVE OUT IF THEY THINK THAT THEY MAY BE IN TROUBLE.

AND I KNOW THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF RESOURCES ON THE READY TO NUMBER ONE TO SAVE LIVES.

DIRECTOR, IF YOU WANT TO.

RESPOND TO THAT AS WELL ON A STRETCHER.

THANKS FOR THE QUESTION.

OR I THINK AS YOU REFERENCED, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF BENCHMARKS FOR FOR THIS EVENT IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND CERTAINLY TROPICAL STORM FRED IS ONE THAT IS.

>> THAT IS PRESIDENT A LOT OF PEOPLE'S MINDS.

BUT I DO WANT TO NOTE AND TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY AS WE LOOK AT POTENTIAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS AND POTENTIAL THREAT PICTURE.

FRANCES AND IVAN ARE ALSO SOME OF THE REFERENCE POINTS THAT THAT WE HAVE.

AND SO TOO, I DON'T THINK WE CAN OVERSTATE SOME OF OUR CONCERN ABOUT POTENTIAL IMPACT IN THAT AREA OF THE STATE AND WHY WE CONTINUE TO MESSAGE AND MANY OF OUR LOCAL JURISDICTIONS IN THAT PART OF THE STATE CONTINUE TO MESSAGE THE IMPORTANCE OF EVACUATIONS.

IF IF POSSIBLE, OUT OF THOSE AREAS THAT WE KNOW ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO TO SIGNIFICANT FLOODING.

AS THE GOVERNOR SAID IN THE POST, TROPICAL STORM FRED RECOVERY PACKAGE.

THERE WERE A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS BOTH THAT DEALT WITH PRIVATE ROADS AND BRIDGES BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THAT IS AN ISSUE WHERE SOME OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE SUPPORT IS NOT.

USUALLY THOSE ARE NOT USUALLY ELIGIBLE.

THERE'S ALSO BEEN A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE ON LONG-TERM RECOVERY AND HOW WE DEAL WITH SOME OF THE MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES IN THAT PART OF THE STATE OR SOME OF THE SOME OF OUR RIVERS OR OTHER WATERWAYS AND AND ADDRESSING SOME OF THE DEBRIS CHALLENGES THAT HAVE BUILT UP OVER THE YEARS.

I THINK THE OTHER THING WE'VE DONE A NUMBER OF OUR COUNTIES HAVE ALSO TAKEN SOME PROACTIVE STEPS ON THE MITIGATION FRONT TO ADD SOME ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO ADD ADDITIONAL RIVER GAUGES OUT THERE AGAIN, BECAUSE WE KNOW FORECAST AND INFORMATION FROM OUR RIVER GAUGES IN THE MOUNTAINS, WATER TRAVELS MUCH, MUCH DIFFERENTLY.

THE IMPACT IS IS SIGNIFICANT IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

AND SO THE ABILITY TO GET THAT TIMELY INFORMATION AND ANALYSIS ON THE FRONT END IS IS GOING TO BE CRITICAL.

DOES THE STATE HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES TO HANDLE BOTH THE RECOVERY'S GOING OUT PC 8 AND THE AND THE >> UPCOMING KIND OF THREAT FROM THIS AGAINST WHERE'S THE SORT OF ALLOCATION GOING?

DEBBIE ORDER THE CYCLONE 8, THIS IN BRUNSWICK, THE SECOND AD AND ALSO SORT OF YEAH.

>> YES, WE WE DO.

BUT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT FEMA FUNDING AND THE FACT THAT ALTHOUGH THIS CONTINUING RESOLUTION WILL KEEP THE FUNDING LEVELS FOR THE SAME WE'RE SEEING ACROSS THE COUNTRY SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY NEEDED.

SO I'M CONCERNED THAT CONGRESS HAS GOT TO ACT TO MAKE SURE THAT FUNDING IS AVAILABLE HERE.

BUT THE DEPARTMENT TRANSPORTATION HAS WORKED VERY HARD IN GETTING ROADS BACK UP IN THOSE AREAS.

WE STILL HAVE SOME ROAD CLOSURES IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY.

AND WE HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT ARE READY TO GO AND DEAL WITH THIS OUT WEST.

I DO THINK THAT.

THE POTENTIAL OF NOT GETTING FEDERAL FUNDING IN EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA THAT WE MAY WANT TO GO TO THE NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR A PACKAGE THAT WOULD HELP THERE.

THAT WOULD ALSO HELP THAT WE, I BELIEVE IS COMING FOR THE FOOTHILLS AND WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA RIGHT NOW.

>> JAMIESE PRICE WITH ABC 11.

HOW IS THE DOT PREPARING?

WE'RE TALKING FLASH FLOODING AND THE POSSIBLE IMPACTS.

WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING RIGHT NOW TO PREPARE FOR THE FLASH FLOODING?

>> ONE THING WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTIVATED IN ON THE READY CONTRACTORS THAT DO THIS KIND OF WORK OR ON THE READY.

>> SO THAT AS SOON AS THE STORM MOVES AWAY AS SOON AS WATER MOVES AWAY, THEY CAN GO AND CHECK BRIDGES.

THEY CAN GO AND BEGIN REPAIR WORK.

BUT I'LL LET CHRIS PEOPLES STRESS THAT ADDRESS THAT DIRECTLY.

THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

>> HE SAID IT WELL.

WE'VE LOOKED AT HOW WE'VE RESPONDED IN THE PAST AND MAKE SURE THAT WE, YOU KNOW, UNDERSTAND ALL THE LESSONS LEARNED FROM PAST STORMS.

SO WE'VE STARTED LOOKING AT THE AREAS IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE STATE WHERE THERE MAY BE ISSUES WHERE WE COULD FROM EXPERIENCE PREDICT THAT THERE WILL BE FLOODING AND WE'VE STAGED EQUIPMENT ON EITHER SIDE OF THAT IN IN CERTAIN COUNTIES SO THAT WE'RE READY.

AND SO WE DON'T GET CUT OFF FROM BEING ABLE TO RESPOND QUICKER.

WE'VE ENGAGED OR CONTRACT PARTNERS AND OUR CONSULTING PARTNERS IN CASE WE HAVE SLIDES IN CASE WE HAVE BRIDGE WASHOUTS COVID WASHOUTS.

IF WE LOSE PAVEMENT.

SO WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE AS READY AS WE CAN BE.

WE'LL GET OUT AND ASSESS AS SOON AS IT'S SAFE FOR PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND ASSESS.

AND THEN WE'LL TRY TO RESPOND AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> AND WE'VE EXPERIENCED A NUMBER OF STORMS OVER THE LAST WHAT MONTH OR TWO.

THERE IS A LEVEL OF FATIGUE WHEN IT COMES 2 DAYS.

AND YOU GUYS HAVE STRESS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR US TO BE PREPARED TO TAKE THIS STORM SERIOUSLY.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO NORTH CAROLINIANS WHO ARE DEALING RIGHT NOW WITH JUST A LOT OF FATIGUE?

THEY'RE EXHAUSTED.

>> WE KNOW THAT STORMS ARE MORE.

FREQUENT.

AND INTENSE NOW BECAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, THOUGH, IN ORDER TO SAVE LIVES AND TO PROTECT PROPERTY THAT WE DO THINGS THAT CAN GET US READY.

SO THAT THE DAMAGES ARE AS GREAT AS THEY COULD BE.

IF WE WERE NOT PREPARED.

AND I THINK PEOPLE IN NORTH CAROLINA ARE RESILIENT.

THEY THEY UNDERSTAND THIS.

PEOPLE IN EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA, PARTICULARLY SEE IT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE IN BRUNSWICK COUNTY ARE WORKING HARD TO RECOVER, WILL HELP HELPING THEM TO ASSESSED DAMAGES NOW.

AND THAT CAN ALL CONTINUE TO GO ON.

BUT NOW WE HAVE ARE ARE PEOPLE READY TO MOVE TO THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN PART OF THE STATE TO DEAL WITH THAT?

IT IT UNFORTUNATELY IS A FACT OF LIFE RIGHT NOW.

I THINK ALSO AS WE REPAIR AND REBUILD, WE NEED TO KEEP RESILIENCY.

AND THE TOP OUR MINDS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT STORM THAT WE ARE SURE.

>> IT'S PROBABLY FOR THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM FEMA COULD BE JUST COULD KIND OF UPDATE ON WHERE THE DISASTER RELIEF FUND IS RIGHT NOW.

IT MAY BE ANY KIND OF PROJECTIONS ARE THOUGHT AS TO WHAT THIS STORM COULD DO TO THAT FUND.

THE FEMA DISASTER RELIEF AND FEDERAL.

THANKS FOR THE QUESTION.

THE DISASTER RELIEF FUND RIGHT NOW.

THE FUNDING WILL NOT IMPACT OUR.

>> RESPONSE TO THIS STORM.

THE FUNDS IN THAT FUND.

WE HAVE A FENCED OFF FOR LIFE-SAVING AND LIFE-SUSTAINING ACTIVITIES TO ASSURE THAT THOSE ACTIVITIES CAN CONTINUE THROUGH THE REST OF HURRICANE SEASON UNTIL THE DISASTER RELIEF FUND CAN BE REFUNDED.

HOW MUCH MONEY ISN'T THAT FUN RIGHT NOW?

JUST HOW MUCH IS THAT POT LIKE?

I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THE POT AT THE MOMENT.

THAT MONEY IS IS CONSTANTLY.

FLUCTUATING AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE STATES AND MULTIPLE INCIDENTS THAT ARE BEING SUPPORTED FROM THAT FUNDING.

SO ANY NUMBER I I WOULD GIVE YOU WOULD BE OUT OF DATE RIGHT AFTER I SAID IT.

>> MARY SMITH HERE WITH CBS, 17 GOVERNOR COOPER.

YOU MENTIONED THAT WE'RE ALREADY SEEING POWER OUTAGES.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHERE WE'RE SEEING THOSE?

>> WILL, DO YOU HAVE THAT?

SO THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION RIGHT NOW.

RIGHT BEFORE WE WALKED IN HERE, WE'RE AT ABOUT 14,000 STATEWIDE.

AGAIN, WE'RE STARTING TO SEE A SLOW TICK UP AS WE WOULD EXPECT IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REALLY IN THE AREAS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE RECEIVING MORE OF THE IMPACT.

SO AVERY MCDOWELL BUNCOMBE SOME OF THOSE THOSE AREAS WE CAN FOLLOW UP WITH YOU RIGHT AFTER AND GIVE YOU KIND OF THE SPECIFICS OF THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.

BUT AGAIN, WE ARE WE ARE ANTICIPATING SIGNIFICANT OUTAGES, PARTICULARLY IN THE WESTERN PART OF OUR STATE.

AS WE LOOK AT THE POSSIBLE WIND SPEEDS AS WELL.

THAT'S ALSO I THINK A CONCERN AND WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF WATER AND THE AMOUNT OF RAINFALL AND WHAT THAT CAN DO BASED ON SOME OF THE TERRAIN IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

BUT AS OUR WEATHER TEAM HAS SHARED THE POTENTIAL FOR TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS AS FAR EAST AS INTO AND AROUND THE CHARLOTTE METRO AREA.

THINK ALSO RAISES SOME LEVEL OF CONCERN AND WHAT THAT COULD DO FOR POWER OUTAGES IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE STATE.

>> ONE OFF TOPIC IF I COULD, WE LEARNED YESTERDAY THAT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OR SOME PEOPLE HAVE RESIGNED.

ARE YOU CONCERNED AT ALL ABOUT THE OPERATIONS OF THE OFFICE AND WILL BE IMPACTED?

AND THE DUTIES THAT IT NEEDS TO CARRY OUT.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT THERE ARE MANY DUTIES THERE THAT THAT OFFICE IS ASSIGNED.

SO I DON'T DON'T THINK THAT THAT WOULD HAVE ANY IMPACT.

DO WE HAVE SOMEONE ON 1, 0, K WE CAN TAKE FIRST QUESTION OF.

SOMEONE CALLING IN.

>> SO RIGHT NOW WE HAVE SHELTERS OPEN IN AVERY BUNCOMBE AND MCDOWELL COUNTIES.

AND WE KNOW AGAIN THAT AVERY IS IS LOOKING AT SOME ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS AS WELL AS THE OTHER TWO.

THE CENSUS IS ARE RELATIVELY LOW, BUT DO ANTICIPATE THEM STARTING TO GO UP.

BUT RIGHT NOW, THOSE ARE THOSE ARE THE PRIMARY LOCATIONS.

>> COREY NOW PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

YEAH.

>> AND WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO COUNT AND A NUMBER OF TIMES IN THE WAKE OF FLOODING IN 2021.

>> AND NORTH CAROLINA DONE ENOUGH IN THE WAY OF RESILIENCY TO PREVENT CASUALTIES IN THESE TYPES OF INSTANCES.

AND DO YOU VIEW THAT IS MORE OF A STATE ROLE, OR A FEDERAL ROLE?

>> SO I THINK WE ALL NEED TO WORK ON MAKING SURE WE ARE MORE RESILIENT TO THE STORMS, THE MOUNTAINS WITH THE BEAUTY OF THEM.

I LOVE GOING OUT THERE AND IT'S CLEAR THAT PEOPLE ENJOY LIVING THERE.

BUT THERE ARE ISSUES THAT CAN BE MORE TREACHEROUS WHEN SEVERE WEATHER CALMS AND I KNOW THAT IN CAN'T AND THAT THERE IS SEVERE FLOODING THAT THEY EXPERIENCE WAS WAS TRULY CATASTROPHIC.

THEY HAVE WORKED HARD TO TO BUILD BACK.

I KNOW THEY ARE GETTING READY.

I'M BEEN TALKING WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE GOING TO BE MAKING SOME MORE TODAY TO SEE WHAT THEIR STATE OF READINESS IS.

I THINK IT'S CLEAR THAT WE ALL NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO DO MORE TO BE READY TO SAVE LIVES.

AND WE HAVE MADE A LOT OF CHANGES.

WE WE NOW HAVE A LOT OF INDICATORS OF WIND RIVER FLOODING IS GOING TO OCCUR IN KEEPING AN EYE ON GAUGES AND BETTER COMMUNICATION WHEN WE BUILD BACK.

WE'RE TRYING TO FORTIFY THOSE STRUCTURES IN ORDER TO ANTICIPATE WHETHER THAT MIGHT COME.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT'S BEING DONE.

BUT THIS WEATHER IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO TO COME AT US.

SO WE NEED TO JUST CONTINUE THAT WORKING ON.

I'M CERTAINLY WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK HARD FOR WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, BUT I'M CERTAINLY PRAYING FOR FOR ALL OF THEM, PARTICULARLY OVER THE NEXT 48 HOURS.

OKAY.

I THINK THAT'S THE LAST QUESTION WE HAVE TODAY.

AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.