GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

AS WE SHARE THE LATEST UPDATES ON HURRICANE HELENE'S IMPACTS ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA.

>> EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS CONTINUE OUR RESPONSE TO THIS DANGEROUS STORM, PARTICULARLY IN THE WESTERN PART OF OUR STATE.

THE PRIORITY NOW IS SAVING LIVES.

HELENE IS CAUSING LIFE-THREATENING.

FLASH FLOODING NUMEROUS LANDSLIDES AND DOWNED TREES CAUSING POWER OUTAGES.

FLOODING WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND SOME AREAS AND MAY EVEN OCCUR IN AREAS THAT DON'T TYPICALLY FLOOD.

WITH THE GRAIN THAT THEY HAD ALREADY BEEN EXPERIENCING BEFORE.

HELENE'S ARRIVAL.

THIS IS ONE OF THE WORST STORMS IN MODERN HISTORY FOR PARTS OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

THE END OF THE RAIN IS NOT THE END OF THE THREAT.

THIS FEAR STORM WILL MOVE OUT OF OUR STATE IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

BUT THE DANGER WILL NOT BE OVER.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS THAT BORDER ON HURRICANE STRENGTH ARE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW ACROSS WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

TREES ARE FALLING CAUSING WIDESPREAD POWER OUTAGES.

AS OF THIS MORNING, THERE ARE OVER 879,000 ESTIMATED POWER OUTAGES ACROSS OUR STATE.

WE'RE ALSO CURRENTLY AWARE OF 290 CLOSED ROADS.

FOR THE PEOPLE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

DO NOT TRAVEL UNLESS THERE IS AN EMERGENCY.

BECAUSE CONDITIONS ARE CONTINUING TO WORSEN.

PEOPLE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA SHOULD CONSIDER ALL ROADS CLOSED UNLESS YOU ARE SEEKING HIGHER GROUND.

FOR MUCH OF OUR STATE.

THERE'S ALSO THE CONTINUED POTENTIAL FOR NET TORNADOES WITH THIS STORM SYSTEM.

THEY CAN QUICKLY SPED UP WITH LITTLE WARNING.

URGED PEOPLE TO STAY INFORMED.

LISTEN TO LOCAL RADIO TV AND LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

OFFICIALS.

SADLY, OUR HEARTS ARE HEAVY AS WE REPORT 2 DEATHS, ONE IN CATAWBA COUNTY DUE TO A MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION.

ONE A FLOODED ROADWAY AND ONE IN CHARLOTTE DUE TO A TREE FALLING ON HOME.

THERE WILL BE MORE AS WE KNOW.

THIS STORM IS CONTINUING ACROSS OUR STATE.

WE ARE WORKING TO TRY TO PREVENT AS MANY AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

AND IN ALL PARTS OF OUR STATE WHERE THERE IS FLOODING.

REMEMBER, DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOOD WATERS.

AS I'VE SAID SO MANY TIMES WE'VE LOST TOO MANY NORTH CAROLINIANS WHO'VE DRIVEN IN THE FLOODWATERS.

SO TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN.

THE STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS AND SUPPORT IMPACTED COMMUNITIES TODAY AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND.

OUR STATE SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS ARE BEING ASSISTED FROM TEAMS FOR MORE THAN A DOZEN OTHER STATES.

AND I'M DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THEIR WORK TO SAVE LIVES.

CURRENTLY WE'RE AWARE OF OVER 100 SWIFT WATER RESCUE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS EVENT.

BUT WE KNOW THERE WILL BE MANY MORE.

OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM HERE IN COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE ARE CONTINUING TO DEPLOY RESOURCES STRATEGICALLY TO SAVE LIVES IN TO STRENGTHEN THE RESPONSE FOR COUNTIES AND CITIES.

NUMEROUS EVACUATIONS HAVE BEEN ORDERED IN AREAS LIKELY TO FLOOD IF YOU'RE TOLD TO EVACUATE, PLEASE GET OUT OF THE DANGER ZONE.

THEY'RE ABOUT 15 SHELTERS AVAILABLE IN MORE WILL BE ADDED.

KEEP YOURSELF INFORMED AS WE BEAR THE BRUNT OF THE STORM TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILIES.

WE KNOW NORTH CAROLINIANS ARE STRONG.

AND OUR FIRST RESPONDERS ARE THE BEST IN THE NATION.

I'M THANKFUL FOR THEIR HARD WORK IN FOR RISKING THEIR LIVES TO PROTECT ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS.

TODAY, I'M JOINED BY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR WILL RE OUR SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, 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.

ARE SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS OR BRIAN TIPTON.

AND BEHIND THE SCENES, OUR SPANISH LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS ARE YASMIN.

THAT HIT HERE.

AND ERICA COOGLER.

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

THANK YOU.

GOVERNOR COOPER.

GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

NORTH CAROLINA IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE IMPACTS OF HELENE, WHICH WILL CONTINUE INTO SATURDAY.

>> AS WE SAID YESTERDAY, NORTH CAROLINIANS SHOULD REMAIN INFORMED, HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND SHOULD TAKE THIS STORM SERIOUSLY.

THE STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM REMAINS FULLY ACTIVATED TODAY IN OUR OPERATIONAL PRIORITY CONTINUES TO BE ON SUPPORTING OUR IMPACTED LOCAL JURISDICTIONS ACROSS THE STATE.

WE CONTINUE TO HAVE OUR PUBLIC SECTOR, PRIVATE SECTOR NONPROFITS AND VOLUNTEER AGENCIES HERE AT THE UC AND WORKING IN COMMUNITY COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

SINCE YESTERDAY WE HAVE SEEN LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING, LANDSLIDES AND DOWNED TREES PRIMARILY ACROSS THE FOOTHILLS AND MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA.

AREAS OF OUR STATE, PARTICULARLY IN THE WEST, HAVE SEEN IMMENSE RAINFALL TOTALS ALREADY AS WE GO INTO THIS AFTERNOON, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE RAINFALL ACROSS THE STATE WITH WEATHER CONDITIONS IMPROVING OVER THE COURSE OF THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

THERE REMAINS A SEVERE WEATHER THREAT TO CENTRAL AND EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA WHERE TORNADOES AND HEAVY DOWNPOUR TOURS ARE EXPECTED.

FOR THOSE THAT ARE IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE INFORMED THAT YOU HAVE A PLAN OF ACTION TO QUICKLY EVACUATE IF NECESSARY AND THAT YOU ARE RECEIVING INFORMATION FROM RELIABLE SOURCES SUCH AS LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICES AND THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

WITH SUCH SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL, WATER LEVELS AND FLOODING IN THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS CAN RAPIDLY CHANGE AND CAN CREATE A SUBSTANTIAL THREAT TO LIFE.

MANY COUNTIES IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA HAVE ORDERED EVACUATIONS TO SAVE LIVES.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT ALL RESIDENTS IN EVACUATION ZONES, PLEASE LEAVE AND MOVE TO A SAFER LOCATION.

PLEASE AVOID TRAVELING IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, PARTICULARLY IN THE MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS.

IF YOU MUST TRAVEL, PLEASE VISIT DRIVE-IN C .GOV TO CHECK ROADWAY STATUS.

THIS WEBSITE IS UPDATED REGULARLY BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

AS OF THIS MORNING AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, THERE ARE OVER 290 ROADWAYS THAT ARE CLOSED IN OUR STATE FROM IMPACTS OF BOTH HELENE, AS WELL AS PTC.

8 LAST WEEK.

I WANT TO THANK OUR PARTNERS IN THE NORTH CAROLINA DOT FOR THEIR CONTINUED HARD WORK TO BLOCK ROADWAYS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC AND FOR CONTINUING TO QUICKLY CLEAR ROADWAYS WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO.

FURTHER.

THE DOT IS ADVISING NORTH CAROLINIANS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, PARTICULARLY TO SEEK HIGHER GROUND AND SHELTER IN PLACE.

AND AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, DO NOT TRAVEL UNLESS THERE IS AN EMERGENCY EMERGENCY PERSONNEL AND RESCUERS SHOULD BE THE ONLY ONES ON THE ROADWAYS AS WELL AS OUR INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERS AS WE MOVE INTO POWER, POWER RESTORATION EFFORTS.

DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH STANDING WATER.

DO NOT DRIVE AROUND BARRICADES AND ROAD CLOSED SIGNS.

THEY ARE THERE TO PROTECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.

THEY'RE CURRENTLY 25 COUNTY AND 43 MUNICIPAL STATES OF EMERGENCY DECLARED.

THE STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM.

HE'S SUPPORTING NUMEROUS SHELTER OPERATIONS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITIES, ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL TO ASSIST WITH SHELTERING ARE BEING BROUGHT IN FROM AN IMPACTED AREAS OF THE STATE OR FROM OTHER STATES OUTSIDE OF NORTH CAROLINA, 14 LOCAL SHELTERS HAVE BEEN OPENED IN MULTIPLE COUNTIES AND FOR UPDATED SHELTER INFORMATION.

PLEASE VISIT READY AND C .GOV.

OUR PARTNERS IN THE NORTH CAROLINA OFFICE OF EMS HAVE DEPLOYED AMBULANCE BUSES, ADDITIONAL EMS UNITS IN ADDITIONAL MEDICAL PERSONNEL TO ASSIST IN SHELTERING OPERATIONS AND TO SUPPORT HEALTHCARE FACILITIES.

THIS WILL ALSO CONTINUE POST IMPACT.

THERE HAVE BEEN RESCUES MADE IN THE RESPONSE TO SWIFT WATER INCIDENTS IS ONGOING ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS AS OF THIS MORNING BY MEMBERS OF OUR NORTH CAROLINA FIRST RESPONDER AND SEARCH AND RESCUE COMMUNITY.

THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER HAS DEPLOYED 30 SWIFT WATER RESCUE TEAMS AND ADDED ADDITIONAL SWIFT WATER RESCUE TEAMS FROM NEW YORK, INDIANA, ILLINOIS, OKLAHOMA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, DELAWARE AND MICHIGAN.

THIS IS IN ADDITION TO 5 URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS DEPLOYED TO ASSIST WITH ANY STRUCTURAL COLLAPSES THAT OCCURRED.

FEMA HAS DEPLOYED FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS AND WE ARE REQUESTING ADDITIONAL TEAMS AT THIS TIME AS WELL AS SOME POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE U.S. COAST GUARD.

THE NORTH ON THE NATIONAL GUARD HAS DEPLOYED OVER 350 NATIONAL GUARDSMEN AND 131 VEHICLES TO INCLUDE HIGH WATER VEHICLES AND AVIATION ASSETS TO ASSIST IN THE EVENT AND ARE ADDING TO THOSE NUMBERS THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY.

THE WORLD, THE LOGISTICS BRANCH HAS ASSISTED COUNTIES IN RESPONSE PARTNERS WITH DEPLOYMENT OF MEALS, WATER, TARPS AND OTHER COMMODITIES AND SUPPLIES AS WE HAVE CONTINUED TO STATE FLOODING MAY OCCUR OUTSIDE OF AREAS THAT NORMALLY FLOOD WITH THE FORECASTED RAINFALL TOTALS.

WE ARE SEEING.

PLEASE STAY SAFE TODAY.

>> CHECK ON YOUR NEIGHBORS AND THOSE IN YOUR COMMUNITY WHO NEED ASSISTANCE AND TAKE PROTECTIVE ACTIONS WHEN DIRECTED BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO DO SO.

DURING A DISASTER OR MAJOR EVENT.

WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER AND MAKE FOR MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES.

FINALLY, I'D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE DEDICATED AND BRAVE FIRST RESPONDERS AND MEMBERS OF THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMUNITY WHO ARE ANSWERING NORTH CAROLINA'S COLE AND WORKING TO SAVE LIVES IN YOUR COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, DIRECTOR.

I'VE ACTIVATED ADDITIONAL NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS TO HELP WITH THIS.

AND SO I'M GOING TO ASK, DIDN'T GENERAL THE NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD MAJOR GENERAL TODD HUNT FOR HIS UPDATE.

>> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

AND FOR A GOOD START.

GIVE A QUICK UPDATE ON WHERE THE GUARD IS DOING.

BUT ADDITIONALLY, I WANT TO THANK THE GUARDIANS OF THE GREAT STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

ANSWERING THAT CALL.

THANK THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES DURING THIS TIME OF CRISIS, A CURRENT STATUS OR FOOTPRINT.

AS WE ARE LOCATED IN THE FOLLOWING CITIES.

ASHEVILLE, WE'VE BEEN IN NASHVILLE FOR OVER A DAY NOW PROVIDING SUPPORT LAST NIGHT.

CHARLOTTE.

MORGAN, 10, CONCORD, WITH ADDITIONAL UNITS WE HAVE IN BURLINGTON, GREENSBORO AND ROCKING HIM.

THOSE UNITS ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN THE WEATHER PERMITS.

AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, WE HAVE A 385 SOLDIERS AND AIRMAN ON DUTY WITH 131 VEHICLES.

WE HAVE 13 AIRCRAFT READY TO DEPLOY WHEN THE WEATHER BREAKS.

WE ALSO HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IF REQUIRED FROM OTHER STATES, MARYLAND AND CONNECTICUT.

VEHICLES THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW ARE MAINLY HOW WATERTIGHT VEHICLES AND PALATE EYES VEHICLES THAT CAN.

PRODUCE COMMODITIES AND BRING COMMODITIES TO THE AFFECTED AREAS.

WE'RE ALSO GOING TO AUGMENT FORESTRY WITH SOME CHAINSAW DEBRIS REMOVAL TEAMS AS WE MOVE THROUGHOUT THE STORM.

AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK OUR GUARDSMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR PROTECTING THIS GREAT STATE AND JUST HAVE YOUR PRAYERS WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE OUT THERE TODAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, GOVERNOR.

THANK YOU.

GENERAL HUNT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WORKING TODAY.

WE KNOW THAT FAMILIES ARE >> STILL IN DANGER.

PEOPLE OF THIS EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER.

WE'LL BE WORKING.

WE'LL BE WORKING UNTIL WE GET THROUGH THIS THING.

WE'LL TAKE QUESTIONS NOW.

IF YOU GUYS CAN MOVE TO MICS OVER HERE, IF ANYBODY WANTS TO ASK FOR.

>> LAURA LESLIE WRAL, A QUESTION FOR THE DOT ABOUT THE EXTENT OF OF ROAD OUTAGES.

ROAD CLOSURES, OUTAGES AND HOW HOW IS 40 LOOKING AT WEST, FOR EXAMPLE, IN WATER, THE MAJOR TROUBLE SPOTS FOR TRANSPORTATION.

>> WE HAVE ABOUT 290 ROADS CLOSED RIGHT NOW.

BUT MORE OF THEM ARE CLOSING AS WE SPEAK, PARTICULARLY WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, BUT PEOPLE'S I'LL LET YOU COME FORWARD.

THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

SO RIGHT NOW WE KNOW OF AT LEAST 4 SPOTS ON I-40.

>> THAT ARE THE ROADWAYS CLOSED.

THE TOP OF FORT MOUNTAIN.

WE HAVE A SLIDE THAT'S COVERED ALL 4 LANES SO THAT THE ROADS CLOSED THERE.

THERE'S ALSO HIGH WATER IN LOCATIONS THAT SEVERAL OTHER SPOTS ON.

I-40 26 IS ALSO FLOODED AT 2 LOCATIONS MARKER.

55.

AND MILE MARKER.

38.

US 74.

IT AT 40 IS COMPLETELY UNDER WATER.

SO THERE'S THERE'S MANY, MANY OTHER LOCATIONS IN THIS IS A RAPIDLY CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCE.

SO AGAIN, I JUST LIKE TO ECHO OF, YOU KNOW, IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE, PLEASE DON'T.

ANY OTHER HERE.

ONLINE.

YES.

ONLINE QUESTION.

>> OUR FIRST QUESTION THIS MORNING IS GOING TO BE FROM LAURA LEE WITH BLUE RIDGE, PUBLIC RADIO LAURA YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO ASK YOUR QUESTION.

>> GOOD MORNING, GOVERNOR.

WE HEARD IN THE BRIEFING THIS MORNING FROM BUNCOMBE COUNTY OFFICIALS THAT UNABLE TO RESPOND TO HEARD REPORTS OF PEOPLE CALLING 9-1-1 AND NOT GETTING ANY RESPONSE IS THEIR STATE ASSISTANCE COMING FOR THAT AND WHAT ADVICE YOU HAVE TO PEOPLE?

WHO'RE TRYING TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY CALL IN NOT GETTING ANY RESPONSE.

>> NO, WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE IN NORTH CARROLL IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, SOME OF THEM ARE FACING GREAT DANGER FROM THE FLOODING AT THIS POINT.

AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS CAN SOMETIMES BE PROHIBITED FROM GOING INTO PLACES BECAUSE OF THE DANGER THEMSELVES.

I'LL LET WILL RE ADDRESS THAT SPECIFICALLY.

>> SO WE DO KNOW THAT WE ARE STARTING TO SEE SOME DEGRADATION OF PARTICULARLY CELL SERVICE IN PARTS OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AS WE WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNICATIONS SECTOR, PARTICULARLY OUR PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERING POINTS OR 9-1-1, CENTERS.

THEY ARE BEGINNING TO INITIATE FALLBACK PLANS WHERE AN IMPACTED CENTERS WOULD BE ABLE TO RECEIVE 9, 1, 1, CALLS ON THEIR BEHALF.

THOSE FALLBACK PLANS.

AND THOSE IN THOSE IMPACTED AREAS ARE ONGOING.

WE'RE ALSO WORKING WITH THOSE THOSE JURISDICTIONS THAT ARE REPORTING SOME OF THOSE MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPACTS TO LOOK AT EITHER THROUGH STATE ASSISTANCE OR THROUGH SOME OF OUR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS, THE ABILITY TO WHEN SAFELY TO MOVE SOME ADDITIONAL SUPPORT INTO THAT AREA TO ASSIST WITH THAT.

SO COVERAGE.

NEXT QUESTION.

>> OUR NEXT QUESTION WILL BE FROM LAURA HACKETT WITH BLUE RIDGE PUBLIC RADIO.

LAURA, SHOULD BE ABLE TO ASK YOUR QUESTION.

>> SORRY, WE'RE KIND OF LOSING SERVICE HERE SO YOU CAN SKIP ME.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR CALLING IN.

WE KNOW THAT THERE'S FRUSTRATION RIGHT NOW WITH A CELL SERVICE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

WE HAVE THE SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO ARE LOCATED HERE AT THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER.

WE ARE TALKING WITH THEM AND WORKING WITH THEM.

I KNOW THAT THERE ARE EFFORTS GOING ON TO RESTORE THAT POWER SERVICES SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE WITH US TODAY.

PLEASE STAY SAFE, PARTICULARLY TO OUR FRIENDS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

WE KNOW THAT IS TOUGH RIGHT NOW.

BUT THERE'LL BE A LOT OF HELP COMING YOUR WAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.