>> WELL, GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I WANT TO SHARE THE LATEST UPDATES ON THE WIDESPREAD CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE.

HURRICANE HELENE HAS CAUSED TO THE WESTERN PART OF OUR STATE.

BRINGING HISTORIC RAINFALL AND FLOODING.

AND HOW WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP EVERYONE GET THROUGH THIS CRISIS.

YESTERDAY WE RECEIVED WORD FROM WASHINGTON THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN APPROVED MY EXPEDITED REQUEST, DECLARING A MAJOR DISASTER FOR 25 NORTH CAROLINA COUNTIES AND THE EASTERN BAND OF THE CHEROKEES.

THIS DECLARATION WILL IMMEDIATELY PAVED THE WAY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TO HELP OUR HARD-HIT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AS WELL AS PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED RELIEF TO OUR RESIDENTS THROUGH THE INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

AND PEOPLE ARE ALREADY SIGNING UP.

WE'LL ANNOUNCE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS FEDERAL AID A LITTLE BIT LATER.

DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE.

THIS UNPRECEDENTED STORM DROPPED FROM 10 TO 29 INCHES OF RAIN ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS CAUSING LIFE-THREATENING FLOODS AND LANDSLIDES.

UNFORTUNATELY, 11 PEOPLE IN OUR STATE HAVE DIED AS A RESULT OF THE STORM.

AND TRAGICALLY, WE KNOW THERE WILL BE MORE.

OUR PRAYERS AND CONDOLENCES GO OUT TO THOSE FAMILIES IN THIS TERRIBLE TIME.

EVEN AS THE RAIN AND THE WINDS HAVE SUBSIDED.

THE CHALLENGE FOR PEOPLE THERE INCREASES.

PEOPLE ARE DESPERATE FOR HELP.

AND WE ARE PUSHING TO GET IT TO THEM.

A MASSIVE EFFORT.

MANY PEOPLE CUT OFF BECAUSE ROADS ARE IMPASSABLE.

THEY DON'T HAVE POWER OR COMMUNICATIONS.

PLEASE KNOW THAT WE ARE SENDING RESOURCES AND COORDINATING CLOSELY WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

FIRST RESPONDERS, STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS AND VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP THOSE IMPACTED BY THIS TRAGIC STORM.

BECAUSE IT'S SO DIFFICULT TO GET TRUCKS IN BY LAND.

YESTERDAY WE BEGAN AIRLIFTING SUPPLIES, INCLUDING FOOD AND WATER INTO THE REGION.

A NUMBER OF NASH FEEDING SITES HAVE BEEN OPEN.

WATER, FOOD AND OTHER SUPPLIES ARE COMING IN TO ASHEVILLE.

AND THEY'RE ALSO BEING AIRLIFTED FROM THERE TO SURROUNDING COUNTIES.

A 20 BED STATE MEDICAL SUPPORT CENTER IS OPENING IN CALDWELL COUNTY TODAY AND WE WILL BE SETTING UP MORE.

SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS, INCLUDING 19 TEAMS FROM OTHER STATES AND 3 FEDERAL TEAMS HAVE RESCUED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING MORE THAN 100 RESCUED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD.

NEARLY 464,000 CUSTOMERS REMAIN WITHOUT POWER DOWN FROM A PEAK, THOUGH, OF MORE THAN A MILLION.

NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS GETTING FOOD AND WATER SUPPLY TRUCKS, POWER AND CELLPHONE UTILITY TRUCKS AND OTHER VEHICLES THROUGH THE DAMAGED ROADS AND INTO WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

MORE THAN 500 NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS ARE NOW WORKING ALONGSIDE LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONDERS.

CONDUCTING SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSIONS DELIVERING NEEDED SUPPLIES AND WORKING TO RESTORE INFRASTRUCTURE.

CELL PHONE PROVIDERS ARE WORKING TO FIX THE DAMAGE AND GET STOPGAP SOLUTIONS IN PLACE.

AND RAPID PROGRESS IS BEING MADE.

RESTORING COMMUNICATIONS IS CRITICAL TO SAVING LIVES, FINDING OUT WHERE PEOPLE ARE AND GETTING IN SUPPLIES.

AND I'VE BEEN IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH CELL PHONE COMPANIES URGING ACTION AND OFFERING THEM SUPPORT.

WELL OVER 1000 PEOPLE HAVE TAKING REFUGE, TAKING REFUGE IN 24 SHELTERS.

PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP FINDING SHELTER OR OTHER RESOURCES SHOULD CALL 2, 1, 1, OR VISIT READYNC.GOV.

WE'VE SEEN HOW DOING THIS HURRICANE.

HOW SUCCESSFUL ARE 9-1-1, BACKUP SYSTEMS HAVE WORKED.

AS 9-1-1.

CALLS ARE NOW BEING HANDLED BY COUNTIES NOT AFFECTED BY THE STORM.

I WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE TO AVOID CALLING 9-1-1, THOUGH, WITH NON EMERGENCY QUESTIONS.

MORE THAN 1600 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACT CREWS ARE WORKING TO CLEAR ROADS CAN GET THEM OPEN AGAIN.

BUT TRAVEL IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA REMAINS LIMITED AND DANGEROUS.

280 STATE MAINTAIN ROADS ARE CLOSED, INCLUDING PARTS OF INTERSTATE 40 AND INTERSTATE.

26.

PLEASE STAY OFF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA ROADS SO THAT EMERGENCY SPONSORS, RESPONDERS, UTILITY CREWS AND DESPERATELY NEEDED SUPPLIES CAN GET THROUGH.

WE DON'T NEED PEOPLE FIZZLING WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA VIEWING THE DAMAGE.

THE STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM IS WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR OUR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS WHO ARE HELPING NORTH CAROLINA AND THIS TIME OF NEED.

WE'RE SEEING PROGRESS.

BUT WE KNOW THE NEED IS GREAT.

HELENE'S IMPACTS WILL CONTINUE AND PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE TO NEED OUR HELP.

NORTH CAROLINA STRONG AND OUR FIRST RESPONDERS ARE THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY.

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

THIS IS AN UNPRECEDENTED TRAGEDY THAT REQUIRES AN UNPRECEDENTED RESPONSE.

WE'RE HEARING FROM MANY PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HELP AND WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THAT SUPPORT.

WE'RE ALSO ACTIVATING THE NORTH CAROLINA DISASTER RELIEF FUND MANAGED BY THE UNITED WAY OF NORTH CAROLINA LATER THIS AFTERNOON, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO DONATE FOR HELENA FOR HAVING RELIEF AT NC.GOV/DONATE TODAY.

I'M JOINED BY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR WILL WRAY NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY JOEY HOPKINS, MAJOR GENERAL TODD HUNT, THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD.

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

WE'VE GOT CODY KINSLEY, OUR SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

OUR AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS OR BRIAN TIPTON AND KAREN MARION BEHIND THE SCENES, OUR SPANISH LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS ARE JACKIE METIVIER.

AND ERICA COOGLER.

BUT FIRST HERE FROM EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

WILL, THANK YOU, GOVERNOR COOPER.

GOOD.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA HAS EXPERIENCED CATASTROPHIC AND DEVASTATING DAMAGE IS IN THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM.

>> AND OUR MANY PARTNERS CONTINUE TO RESPOND TO THE IMPACTS AND THE NEED OF OUR LOCAL JURISDICTIONS.

THEIR STORIES AFTER STORIES OF ACTIONS TAKEN BY OUR FIRST RESPONDERS TO SAVE LIVES AND TO OVERCOME OVERWHELMING SITUATIONS.

I WANT TO REMIND ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS, THE CONDITIONS ON THE GROUND REMAIN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS EVEN AS FLOODING HAS ROOM HAS CONTINUED AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE.

ROADWAYS ARE DAMAGED.

THERE ARE DOWNED POWER LINES AND UNSTABLE GROUND.

THERE ARE STILL MANY RAIN, SWOLLEN RIVERS ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS AND IT MAY TAKE SOME TIME FOR THE FLOODING TO FULLY DISSIPATE.

WE ASKED PEOPLE NOT TO VENTURE INTO STORM AFFECTED AREAS WHETHER TO CHECK ON PROPERTY LOVED ONES ARE JUST TO SIGHTSEE BESIDES ENDANGERING YOURSELF.

YOU COULD ALSO BE INTERFERING WITH EMERGENCY RESPONDERS OR REPAIR CREWS.

PLEASE LET THE PROFESSIONALS DO THEIR JOBS.

THERE ARE 31 COUNTIES, STATES OF EMERGENCIES AND 28 MUNICIPAL STATES OF EMERGENCY WITH 24 SHELTERS OPEN WITH OVER 1000 INDIVIDUALS BEING SERVED.

I WISH TO THANK THOSE WORKING IN OUR SHELTERS TO PROVIDE DISPLACED NORTH CAROLINIANS WITH FOOD, SHELTER AND ACCESS TO CRITICAL RESOURCES.

THE WORK YOU ARE DOING IS VITAL TO HELPING OUR RESIDENTS.

THERE ARE OVER 45 SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS ENGAGED IN THE RESPONSE FROM NORTH CAROLINA AND OTHER STATES SUCH AS ILLINOIS.

INDIANA.

OKLAHOMA.

NEW YORK.

NEW JERSEY.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

DELAWARE.

MICHIGAN.

ALABAMA.

CONNECTICUT AND WISCONSIN.

AS WELL AS FEDERAL SEARCH AND RESCUE ASSETS.

WE HAVE OVER 730 BRAVE RESPONDERS IN IN THE SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORT.

IN ADDITION TO THE HUNDREDS OF LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS, THESE TEAMS ARE SAYS ARE SUPPORTED BY OVER 200 PERSONNEL PROVIDING COMMUNICATIONS, LOGISTICS AND PLANNING SUPPORT.

THESE RESPONSE TEAMS ARE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO MAKE RESCUES TO ACCESS NEIGHBORHOODS, TO ASSIST COMMUNICATIONS PARTNERS WITH ACCESS TO INFRASTRUCTURE AND TO CONDUCT A WELFARE CHECKS.

AS OF TODAY, THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF RESCUES MADE IF YOU NEED RESCUE OR HAVE AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL 9-1-1 FOR GENERAL DISASTER INFORMATION.

YOU CAN ALSO VISIT NCDPS.GOV/HELENE FIRST TO KEEP PHONE LINES OPEN.

IF IT'S NOT AN EMERGENCY AND YOU NEED TO REPORT SOMEONE MISSING OR IF YOU ARE REQUESTING A WELFARE CHECK.

PLEASE CALL 2, 1, 1, SELECT YOUR PREFERRED LANGUAGE AND THEN PUSH OPTION ONE.

THANK YOU TO THE UNITED WAY INTO THE 2, 1, 1 OPERATORS WHO ARE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO PROCESS AN UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF CALLS.

THE NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD IS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN, HAVE DEPLOYED 556 GARDEN GUARDSMAN AND 195 VEHICLES FOR MULTIPLE MISSIONS, INCLUDING HIGH WATER VEHICLES TO ACCESS COMMUNITIES, COMMODITY DELIVERY AND SEARCH AND RESCUE.

OUR AVIATION ASSETS OR CONDUCT CONDUCTING SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSIONS AND FACILITATING THE MOVEMENT OF COMMODITIES INTO THE IMPACTED COMMUNITIES.

WE WOULD ASK TO ALLOW FOR APPROPRIATE SAFETY OF THE AIRCRAFT.

INDIVIDUALS REFRAIN FROM FLYING DRONES IN THE AIR.

THESE COULD IMPEDE PUBLIC SAFETY AND IMPEDE REPAIR OPERATIONS.

THE NORTH CAROLINA OFFICE OF EMS IS WORKING WITH IMPACTED COUNTIES TO ENSURE THAT PRE HOSPITAL CARE AND EMS SYSTEMS ARE SUPPORTED TO PROVIDE LIFE-SAVING EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

THEY'VE DEPLOYED AMBULANCES, PERSONNEL AND ARE CLOSELY COMMUNICATING WITH HOSPITALS AND LICENSE CARE FACILITIES TO ENSURE THAT FRAGILE MEDICAL POPULATIONS ARE MOVED TO SAFE LOCATIONS AND CARED FOR.

THERE'S BEEN A FEDERAL PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DECLARED FOR NORTH CAROLINA YESTERDAY TO ASSIST IN FACILITATING MEDICAL TREATMENT WITHIN IMPACTED COMMUNITIES AND TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO QUICKLY REESTABLISHING SUSTAINED MEDICAL RESOURCES.

NORTH CAROLINA DHHS IS ALSO REMINDING NORTH CAROLINIANS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA THAT DRINKING WATER MAY NOT BE SAFE TO DRINK FROM FROM MUNICIPAL SOURCES OR WELL.

WATER FLOODING DAMAGES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND WELLS WITH CONTAMINANTS.

ONLY USE BOTTLED BOILED OR TREATED WATER FOR DRINKING COOKING AND PERSONAL HYGIENE AND IMPACTED AREAS FOR MORE INFORMATION.

PLEASE VISIT YOUR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS OR WEBSITES.

MANY PEOPLE ARE UNDERSTANDABLY CONCERNED ABOUT FAMILY OR OTHER LOVED ONES THAT THEY CANNOT REACH.

THERE ARE STILL SEVERAL AREAS WHERE MOBILE AND LANDLINE SERVICES REMAIN DEGRADED WEST OF INTERSTATE 77.

I WANT TO THANK THE TALCUM.

YOU SHOULD TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONALS THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO RESTORE CELL PHONE SERVICE AND MOBILE DATA TO THE MOUNTAINS FOR THOSE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

WE ASK THAT YOU TURN YOUR PHONES OFF AND TURN THEM BACK ON PERIODICALLY TO ALLOW THE PHONE TO CONNECT TO A NETWORK.

ON FRIDAY.

OUR TELECOMMUNICATIONS PARTNERS ACTIVATED DISASTER ROAMING ON ALL NETWORKS.

WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT ANY PHONE ON ANY CARRIER CAN ACCESS ANY NETWORK TO PLACE CALLS.

THIS IS YET ANOTHER.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE WHOLE OF COMMUNITY RESPONSE ACROSS ALL SECTORS OF GOVERNMENT.

THE PRIVATE SECTOR ARE NONPROFITS AND VOLUNTEER AGENCIES THAT ARE TAKING PLACE.

FOR THOSE WITHOUT PHONE SERVICE THAT CAN ACCESS THE INTERNET, YOU CAN ACTIVATE FACEBOOK CRISIS.

RESPONSE ON YOUR PROFILE TO TELL YOUR CONTACTS THAT YOU ARE OK?

THERE ARE 280 ROADWAY STILL CLOSED IN JUST OVER 500,000 POWER OUTAGES DOWN FROM AS YOU HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR OVER A MILLION RESTORATION RESTORATION OPERATIONS ARE UNDERWAY WITH CREWS FROM OTHER STATES CONVERGING ON NORTH CAROLINA TO ASSIST.

AND I WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT CARBON MONOXIDE IS A CONCERN WHEN YOU'RE COOKING ON A GRILL OR OPERATING A GENERATOR FOR POWER, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU DO THESE THINGS AWAY FROM YOUR HOME AS CARBON MONOXIDE IS A COLORLESS AND ODORLESS KILLER.

LAST NIGHT, NORTH CAROLINA RECEIVED A MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FOR THE 25 COUNTIES IN THE EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS THAT PROVIDES CRITICAL RECOVERY RESOURCES, INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE, WHICH CAN ASSIST IMPACTED RESIDENTS WITH FUNDING FOR THEIR IMMEDIATE NEEDS.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE NORTH CAROLINA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AND NC DPS .GOV.

BACKSLASH HELENE HAS MORE INFORMATION WILL BE ISSUED ON RECOVERY RESOURCES IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.

RESIDENTS CAN ALSO CALL 1-800-621-3362, FOR INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE.

INFORMATION.

FOR THOSE THAT HAVE ASKED TO VOLUNTEER.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR DESIRE TO HELP YOU CAN VISIT NCVOAD.ORG/VOLUNTEER FOR MORE INFORMATION.

FOR GENERAL INFORMATION LINKS TO RESOURCES AND ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS, PLEASE VISIT NCDPS.GOV/HELENE THIS WEBSITE WILL CONTINUE TO BE UPDATED WITH ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AS WE CONCLUDE RESPONSE PHASE AND MOVE INTO THE RECOVERY PHASE.

THERE ARE MANY NORTH CAROLINIANS WHO ARE TIRED, WORRIED AND FEELING THE IMPACTS OF THIS SIGNIFICANT EVENT TO OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

PLEASE KNOW THAT ALL OF NORTH CAROLINA STANDS WITH YOU.

WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER AND MAKE FOR MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES.

FINALLY, I WANT TO ONCE AGAIN ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE THAT HAVE LEFT THEIR FAMILIES AND WORK LONG HOURS IN CHALLENGING CONDITIONS RESPONDING TO EMERGENCY CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE AND HAVE STAFFED EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTERS AND INCIDENT COMMAND POST ACROSS THE STATE TO KEEP ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS SAFE.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO EVERY DAY TO PROTECT THE 10.8 MILLION PEOPLE THAT CALL THIS GREAT STATE HOME.

WE ARE TRULY LUCKY TO HAVE SUCH OUTSTANDING FIRST RESPONDERS AND PUBLIC SAFETY PROFESSIONALS IN NORTH CAROLINA.

THANK YOU.

SO WE'LL NOW HEAR FROM TODD HUNT, MAJOR GENERAL MAJOR GENERAL ADJUDENT GENERAL, THE NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD.

>> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

AND GOOD AFTERNOON.

AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, NORTH KIAHNNA NATIONAL GUARD HAS INCREASED TO OVER 500 SOLDIERS AND AIRMAN.

AND OVER 200 VEHICLES.

OUR MAIN EFFORT RIGHT NOW IS TO INCLUDE AIRCRAFT FOR THE AFFECTED AREA.

WE HAVE AIRCRAFT THAT INCLUDE HOIST AN EMERGENCY RESPONDERS ON THEM AND ALSO A HIGH WATER VEHICLES ARE BEING EMPLOYED AS WE SPEAK.

AS OF THIS MORNING, OUR SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN CONDUCTED NUMEROUS RESCUES.

AND THE WESTERN PART OF NORTH CAROLINA.

AND A LOT OF THOSE WERE AIR RESCUES.

WE'VE ALSO MOVE SOLDIERS FROM THE CENTRAL PART OF NORTH CAROLINA INTO THE WESTERN PART OF NORTH CAROLINA AS THE ROADS PROHIBIT US TO DO.

YESTERDAY.

WE FLEW OVER 52 HOURS.

WE HAD 117 RESCUES AND OF THOSE WE RESCUED OVER 119 CITIZENS OF NORTH CAROLINA TO INCLUDE 11 OTHER PETS.

7 OF THESE IT OF THESE RESCUES CAME WITHIN ONE AREA AROUND THE CHIMNEY ROCK AREA.

NORTH CAROLINA ASSETS HAVE IDENTIFIED PEOPLE ON THE GROUND ARE USING SOCIAL MEDIA AND EMERGENCY CALLS TO LOCATE IDENTIFY AND RESCUE THOSE STRANDED CITIZENS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

WE ALSO RESCUED THE INFANT AND WERE ABLE TO TAKE THAT INFANT DIRECTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR CARE.

THE LARGEST MISSION WE SAW AND RESCUE WAS 41 PEOPLE NORTH OF ASHEVILLE IN BUNCOMBE COUNTY.

WE'VE ALSO MOVED OVER 3 34,000 COMMODITIES ARE POUNDS OF COMMODITIES TO INCLUDE WATER, FOOD AND MEDICINE.

FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE PAST.

48 HOURS.

WE'VE ALSO.

A MINUTE OUR PERSONNEL WITH 15 MORE AIRCRAFT.

THESE ARE HEAVY LIFT AIRCRAFT AND THEY CAME OUT OF THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, MARYLAND, OHIO.

IOWA, FLORIDA, SOUTH CAROLINA AND PENNSYLVANIA.

THE NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD INCOME COORDINATION WITH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS ARE HERE UNTIL THE MISSION IS COMPLETE.

IN CLOSING.

I WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK THE GUARDIANS OF OUR GREAT STATE.

THE SOLDIERS AS CITIZENS OF NORTH CAROLINA AND OUR FIRST RESPONDERS FOR THEIR SELFLESS SERVICE RISKING THEIR LIVES TO PROTECT OTHERS.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAMILIES OF THOSE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED THE EMPLOYERS AND THE UNIVERSITIES OF OUR SOLDIERS, CITIZENS ARE CITIZEN SOLDIERS.

AS THEY GO OUT AND HELP FELLOW NORTH CAROLINIANS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, GOVERNOR.

IT WILL NOW HELP OUR SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION MR. HOPKINS COME FORWARD.

JODY HAWKINS.

THANK YOU.

GO TO.

OUR HEARTS.

GO OUT TO THE PEOPLE OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA IN THE WAKE OF THE STORM AND PLEASE KNOW THAT WE HAVE DOT CREWS ALREADY IN THE AREA AND THEY HAVE BEGUN OPERATIONS.

>> THEY'RE WORKING HARD TO ASSESS DAMAGES.

AND ALSO THEY'RE BEGINNING EMERGENCY REPAIRS AS OF 11:00AM.

IT'S ALREADY BEEN MENTIONED.

WE HAD JUST ABOUT 280 ROADS CLOSED IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

AND ALL OF THOSE ARE ATTRIBUTED TO HELLING.

THE MAJORITY OF THOSE ARE IN HENDERSON ASHE WELCOME LINCOLN, CLEVELAND JACKSON, TRANSYLVANIA AND YANCEY COUNTIES.

52 OF THESE OUR OWN PRIMARY ROUTES, INCLUDING 2 LOCATIONS.

NOW 41 AT MILE MARKER 3 NEAR THE TENNESSEE LINE.

ANOTHER NEAR OLD FORT AND THEIR DOZENS OF OTHER U.S. AND IN SEA ROUTE CLOSED.

MANY OF THE CLOSURES ARE DUE TO HIGH WATER WHERE THE ROADWAYS IMPASSABLE OR FLOODED.

WE ALSO HAVE SEVERAL LAND AND ROCK SLIDES DOWN POWER LINES, PIPE FAILURES AND THE FALLEN TREES.

SOME GOOD NEWS, THOUGH, THANKS TO OUR STAFF'S WORK.

A PREVIOUSLY CLOSED SECTION OF I-26 SOUTH OF ASHEVILLE HAS REOPENED ALLOWING OUR FIRST MAJOR ROUTE INTO AND OUT OF THE CITY.

CREWS HAVE ALSO OPENED UP A PATH THROUGH THE SLIDE NEAR OLD FORT ON I-40 TO ALLOW SOME STRANDED VEHICLES AND ALSO EMERGENCY RESPONDERS TO PASS THROUGH WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE HIGHWAY PATROL.

WE HAVE MORE THAN 1500 EMPLOYEES FROM ALL ACROSS OUR HIGHWAY DIVISIONS RESPONDED TO INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE STORM.

THIS ALSO INCLUDES MORE THAN 100 FROM EASTERN AND CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

AND WE HAVE OTHER STANDING BY AS HOUSING COME BECOMES AVAILABLE.

MANY OF THESE EMPLOYEES HAVE LEFT THEIR HOMES.

THEY HAVE THEIR OWN DAMAGE TO THEIR HOMES AND PROPERTY AND EVEN FAMILY.

AND SO I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THE WORK THEY'VE BEEN DOING SINCE THIS STORM IS HIT.

I WANT TO ALSO MENTION THAT UNNECESSARY TRAVEL IS HINDERING OUR CREWS FROM DOING THE WORK TO GET THE ROAD REOPENED.

OUR MAIN MESSAGE IS SIMPLE.

CONSIDER ALL ROADS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA TO BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

YOU CAN LOOK FOR ADDITIONAL DRIVE INFORMATION AND ROAD CLOSURE.

DETAILS AT DRIVENC.GOV.

AND AS OUR CREWS CONTINUE TO RESPOND TO ITS INCIDENTS, WE WILL KEEP THIS WEBSITE UPDATED.

I DO WANT TO SAY THE IT WILL TAKE A LONG TIME TO RECOVER FROM.

THE DAMAGE IS TELLING LEFT IN ITS PATH.

AND WE HOPE THAT EVERYONE'S PATIENT WITH US AS WE WORK TO EVALUATE THE DAMAGE AND ALSO MAKE REPAIRS.

THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO FOR US NOW IS TO STAY HOME AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO KEEP YOU UPDATED ACROSS ALL OF OUR DOT SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AND OUR WEBSITE.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

SECRETARY HOPKINS.

WE ALSO HAVE WITH US TODAY, OUR FEMA PARTNERS AND OUR SECRETARY OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, EDDIE BUFFALOE.

>> WE'LL NOW TAKE QUESTIONS FROM PEOPLE FROM REPORTERS WHO HAVE CALLED IN.

>> FIRST QUESTION IS FROM WILL ATWATER WITH NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH NEWS.

WILL ATWATER.

GO AHEAD.

>> I I HAVE A TWO-PART QUESTION.

THE FIRST PART IS HOW MANY HOSPITALS ACROSS THE REGION ARE FUNCTIONING AND TO WHAT DEGREE.

AND THEN THE SECOND PART IS HOW MANY PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS ARE INOPERABLE AND HOW MUCH WATER IS BEING.

TRUCKED OR FLOWN IN AND HOW LONG DO YOU ANTICIPATE HAVING TO DO SO?

>> FIRST, WE'VE MADE IT A PRIMARY OBJECTIVE TO GET POWER BACK TO HOSPITALS AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE OPERATING.

I'M GOING TO TURN THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION OVER TO SECRETARY CODY KINSLEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT THERE IS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO WATER SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

THERE ARE THERE IS A MASSIVE EFFORT GOING ON NOW TO MOVE WATER AND OTHER SUPPLIES INTO THESE AFFECTED AREAS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE NEEDED.

BUT I FIRST ASKED SECRETARY KINSLEY TO COME FORWARD AND THEN DIRECTOR WRAY SECRETARY KINSLEY.

>> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

AND THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT QUESTION.

OUR TEAM IS AN ACTIVE CONTACT WITH ALL OF OUR HEALTHCARE FACILITIES IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

AS OF RIGHT NOW, ALL OF OUR HOSPITALS REMAIN OPERATING, ALBEIT MANY OF THEM ON BACKUP GENERATOR POWER AND TEMPORARY WATER SUPPLY.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS HERE, UNIFIED COMMAND AND DIRECTOR RAY, AS WE EVALUATE THE SITUATION AND BRING SUPPLIES TO THE HOSPITALS TO SUSTAIN THEIR OPERATIONS.

THANKS.

WE'LL SO OF THE OF THE SYSTEMS THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY TRACKING.

52 OF THEM ARE WITHOUT POWER.

WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL 93 SYSTEMS THAT ARE ON A BOIL WATER ADVISORY AND OF THOSE.

33 ARE AWAITING TEST RESULTS TO CLEAR THAT ADVISORY.

>> WE KNOW THAT A COMBINATION OF OF POWER, LOSS OF POWER IS ONE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT THERE'S SIGNIFICANT INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE FROM THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT IMPACTED A NUMBER OF THESE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT REBUILD IMPACTS FOR THESE WATER SYSTEMS TO TO COME ONLINE.

WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS TO LOOK AT SOME OFFICIAL OFFICIAL ENGINEERING EVALUATION, SCOPING SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THIS IS A SIMPLE REPAIR THAT'S GOING TO BE NEEDED OR WHETHER WE'RE TALKING AN EXTENSIVE OVERHAUL OF OF JURISDICTIONS, WATER SYSTEM.

BECAUSE THOSE ARE SIGNIFICANT LIFTS AND CHALLENGES WE ARE.

WE ARE PREPARING OUR OPERATION TO CONTINUE TO MOVE COMMODITIES INTO THOSE IMPACTED AREAS, PARTICULARLY FOOD AND WATER FOR AN EXTENDED DURATION OF TIME.

AS YOU HEARD A NUMBER OF FOLKS REFERENCE TODAY, WE ARE LOOKING AT MULTIPLE AVENUES TO SURGE COMMODITIES INTO THESE IMPACTED AREAS.

WE KNOW THERE ARE A NUMBER THAT ARE STILL THAT HAVE INCREDIBLY LIMITED OR NO ACCESS.

THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE THAT ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF OF WATER AND FOOD FOR THAT REASON, WE'RE LOOKING AT BOTH GROUND TRANSPORTATION ROUTES AS THEY BECOME MORE AVAILABLE WHILE ALSO UTILIZING SOME OF THE AIR BRIDGE THAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED TODAY AND PREVIOUSLY USING ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT.

WE'RE ALSO DISCUSSING OTHER MAJOR LIFT OPTION ON MAJOR LIFT OPTIONS OF COMMODITIES INTO THE IMPACTED AREA.

WITH THE GOAL BEING TO SUSTAIN THIS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.

AGAIN, AS THE GOVERNOR, OTHERS HAVE SAID, THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND ONE THAT WE ARE, I THINK PREPARING TO RESPOND TO FOR SOME TIME.

NEXT QUESTION.

I QUESTION IS FROM RAY GRONBERG WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA TRIBUNE AND BUSINESS NORTH CAROLINA.

GO AHEAD RAY.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, GENTLEMEN.

MORE FOR JOEY HOPKINS.

ANYTHING ELSE?

HOW ARE Y'ALL GONNA YOU KNOW, PRIORITIZE A MAJOR ROAD REPAIRS SUCH AS THE ONE THE 5 MARK CURSORY AND I-40.

>> WE KNOW THAT THESE TRANSPORTATION REPAIRS ARE GOING TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY EXPENSIVE TO DO.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PRIORITIZING MAIN ROUTES.

THE FIRST THING WE WANT IS TO MAKE SURE WE GET HELP TO PEOPLE.

AND SO THEY'RE TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS BEING WORKED ON TO MAKE SURE WE GET TRUCKS.

AND BUT I'M GONNA TURN THAT QUESTION OVER TO SECRETARY HAWKINS.

THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

THANKS FOR THE QUESTION RAY SO IN GENERAL.

WE'RE GOING TO PRIORITIZE THE INTERSTATES AND US AND IN SEA ROUTES AHEAD OF THE SECOND ROUTES.

>> BUT ALSO WE'VE GOT A LOOK AT HOW MUCH DAMAGE WE HAVE LIKE THE ONE YOU MENTIONED NEAR THE TENNESSEE LINE.

THAT'S SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DAMAGE.

AND SO EVEN THOUGH IT'S A TOP PRIORITY OF OURS, IT WILL TAKE A LONG TIME TO FIX THAT.

WE'RE PROBABLY TALKING MONTHS AT BEST.

WE'VE STILL GOT TO EVALUATE THAT AND DO SOME ASSESSMENTS OUT THERE BEFORE WE CAN DETERMINE WHAT THAT SOLUTION IS.

BUT WE'RE ALSO IN IN ADDITION TO THOSE PRIORITIES, WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT COMMUNITIES THAT MAY BE CUT OFF AND TRYING TO FIND THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES AND GET THEM ACCESS RESTORED BACK SO THEY CAN GET BACK IN AND GET THE COMMODITIES AND GET THE FOOD AND WATER THAT THEY NEED TO.

SO THAT WILL ALSO BE A PRIORITY AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK OUR WAY THROUGH ALL THE DAMAGE AND FIND FIND THESE OTHER AREAS.

NEXT QUESTION.

>> THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM WILL MICHAELS WITH WUNC RADIO.

GO AHEAD.

WELL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND GOOD AFTERNOON TO ONE POINT OF CLARIFICATION.

AND THEN A QUICK QUESTION AND MAKES THE POINT OF CLARIFICATION OF THE DEATH TOLL AND UNDERSTANDING THAT THESE NUMBERS CAN CHANGE BY THE HOUR.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY OFFICIALS SAID THIS MORNING THAT THEY HAD CONFIRMED AND IN BUNCOMBE COUNTY ALONE, THE NUMBER THAT YOU MENTIONED, GOVERNOR 11 INCLUDES THOSE CANDIDATES.

>> WELL, FIRST, I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT DATA THAT BBUNCOMBE COUNTY'S IS USING.

BUT LET ME TELL YOU THIS.

I KNOW THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WERE CONCERNED ABOUT RELATIVES AND FRIENDS THAT THEY CANNOT GET IN TOUCH WITH.

AND IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE'RE PUSHING SO HARD TO GET COMMUNICATIONS BACK UP BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE WERE JUST SIMPLY OUT OF COMMUNICATION AND ARE OKAY.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THIS EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE RESCUE PEOPLE.

THE SWIFT WATER RESCUES ARE GOING ON NOW AS WE SPEAK, THE CONFIRMATION PROCESS ON DEATHS IS IS IS LONG AND COMPLICATED.

YOU GOT TO MAKE SURE YOU NOTIFY FAMILY MEMBERS.

I EXPRESS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY, 2 PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAVE LOST FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS TO THIS STORM.

BUT WE'LL WORK ON GETTING THAT DATA REPUBLIC REPORTED TO THE PAPA PUBLIC AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

JEFF, ANOTHER QUESTION.

IT.

>> YES, SURE.

APPRECIATE THAT.

AND THIS QUESTION IS FOR GENERAL HUNT I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF THEY COULD GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS GIVEN THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME REPORTS FROM.

AND THAT SOUNDS LIKE WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE FIRE CHIEF THERE SAYS THAT ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE GONE TO THE NATIONAL GUARD TO HELP WITH, YOU KNOW, GOING INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD LIKE THAT WHERE LOCAL AUTHORITIES KNOW THAT THERE ARE ISSUES AND THEN THE NATIONAL GUARD TO HELP WITH SECURITY, GIVEN THAT THERE ARE REPORTS OF LOOTING AND ARGUMENTS BREAKING OUT THE GAS STATIONS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

>> YES, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

SO I'LL ANSWER THE SECOND QUESTION.

FIRST.

YES, WE HAVE HEARD REPORTS OF THAT.

BUT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THE NORTH CAROLINA, THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA HAS A ROBUST CAPABILITY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SO, YOU KNOW, THEY WILL PROBABLY RESPOND BEFORE THE NATIONAL GARDENS TO ANSWER YOUR SECOND QUESTION.

OUR MISSION YESTERDAY WITH SEARCH AND RESCUE.

WE DO HAVE SOME SOME INDICATIONS THERE, LIKE I MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY BEFORE HOME, FACEBOOK, SOCIAL MEDIA OR JUST PEOPLE WHO WERE GET A CELLPHONE CALL IN.

AND WE DID GO OUT AND RESCUE THOSE PEOPLE.

THE ONES SPECIFICALLY YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, THEY WERE 41 PEOPLE OUT OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WE RESCUED.

WHEN I MENTION BUNCOMBE COUNTY, BUT WE ARE OUT FLYING TODAY.

WE WERE FLYING YESTERDAY AND IF WE SEE SOMEBODY NEEDS RESCUING, WE HAVE THE CAPABILITIES WITH OUR AIRCRAFT, NOT HOIST AIRCRAFT AND MEN OF ACT.

2 TO RESCUE THOSE INDIVIDUALS JUST FLYING THROUGH THE AREA.

NEXT QUESTION.

>> THE NEXT QUESTION IS FOR THE TED HESSON.

THAT'S REUTERS GO HEAD TO HEAD.

>> HI, ALL.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE COURAGE OF CALL.

I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD GIVE US AN ESTIMATE OF THE TOTAL COST OF THE DAMAGE IN THE STATE AND WHAT YOUR TIMELINE IS FOR THINGS TO BE RESTORED TO SOME KIND OF NORMALCY.

>> FIRST, AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, WE WANT TO RETURN THINGS TO NORMALCY, BUT WE KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A MATTER OF TIME WHEN YOU HAVE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE CUT OFF, EVERYONE IS WORKING AS HARD AS WE CAN FIRST TO SAVE LIVES BECAUSE THERE'S STILL WATER, WATER RESCUES HAPPENING TO GET SUPPLIES AND THE PEOPLE TO MAKE SURE WE GET COMMUNICATIONS BACK UP AND TO GET POWER BACK ON TO PEOPLE AND TO REPAIR ROADS SO THAT WE CAN GET FROM ONE PLACE TO THE NEXT ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT.

AS SOON AS WE ARE IN A POSITION THAT PROCESS OF ASSESSING DAMAGES WILL OCCUR.

WE'RE ALSO GOING TO BE GETTING HELP TO INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES THROUGH THAT INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE APPROVED BY THIS DISASTER DECLARATION THAT WE JUST GOT.

BUT WE DON'T KNOW THAT YET.

THAT'LL BE SOMETHING THAT WILL CONTINUE TO ASSESS AND WE WILL WORK TO GET THINGS TO GET THINGS IMPROVED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

NEXT QUESTION.

>> NEXT QUESTION IS FROM WRAL TV.

GO AHEAD.

WRAL.

FORGIVE ME GUYS WHAT [INDISTINCT] IS GOING TO BE, MY NUMBER OR NOT.

>> AND MY QUESTION IS RELATED TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF THAT FOOD WATER, THAT SUPPLIES COMING IN.

YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN MENTIONED THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A MASSIVE OPERATION, BUT WE'RE STILL HEARING FROM SO MANY PEOPLE HERE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA WHO, YOU KNOW, WERE WAITING ON THAT.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR SOME KIND OF SPECIFIC TIMELINE HERE.

SO CAN WE SAY WHEN IT SPECIFICALLY FOR THESE COMMUNITIES THEY CAN EXPECT TO START RECEIVING THIS WATER AND SERVICE EATING THIS FOOD.

>> WELL, FIRST, IT IS HAPPENING NOW.

THESE COMMODITIES ARE BEING DELIVERED.

REMEMBER, THERE ARE A LOT OF PLACES THAT WERE HAVING DIFFICULT EVENING EVEN GETTING TO IN COMMUNICATING WITH I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO WILL RE TO GIVE YOU THE SPECIFICS OF WHAT IS HAPPENING TO COORDINATE THAT EFFORT.

I THINK AS GOVERNOR SAID, THERE.

>> WE'RE DEALING STILL WITH ACCESS ISSUES INTO SOME COMMUNITIES.

THAT'S THE REASON WE'RE LOOKING AT GROUND OPTIONS AS WELL AS OPTIONS VIA AIR AND WHY YOU SEE ALL THE PARTNERS UP HERE THAT YOU SEE REALLY, IT TAKES ALL OF THESE PARTNERS TO BE ABLE TO CLEAR ROADS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT, TO PHYSICALLY LIFT TO THE DO THE COMMODITIES IN AND PEOPLE OUT.

AND SO THAT IS AN OPERATION THAT STARTED YESTERDAY.

IT STARTED VERY EARLY THIS MORNING IN BOTH ON AIR AND GROUND TO GET INTO SOME OF THE AREAS WE KNOW THAT ARE THAT ARE CRITICAL RIGHT NOW.

THAT WILL GO ON THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY.

AND AS WE'VE TALKED, WE ARE PREPARING TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS FOR FOR MANY, MANY DAYS AHEAD.

SO THAT NORTH CAROLINIANS HAVE THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TUNING IN.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK AROUND THE CLOCK TO MAKE SURE THAT WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA GETS HELP.

>> WE THANK EVERYBODY FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND FOR THEIR PRAYERS.

THANK YOU.