>> GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYBODY AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING OUR BRIEFING TODAY.

AS YOU KNOW HURRICANE IAN HAS LANDED A DEVASTATING BLOW TO FLORIDA.

AND WE'LL FEEL THE REMNANTS OF IT IN NORTH CAROLINA TOMORROW.

WHILE WE GET READY.

OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH THE PEOPLE WHO'VE ALREADY FACED THE BRUNT OF THE STORM.

AND WE'VE PROVIDED SOME LOGISTICAL HELP TO FLORIDA.

OUR STATE WILL STAND READY TO ASSIST MORE AFTER THE STORM PASSES BUT TODAY IS TIME FOR ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS TO READY OURSELVES TO STAY SAFE.

IN RECENT HOURS, IAN HAS REMINDED US OF THE DANGEROUS UNPREDICTABILITY OF THESE STORMS AS ITS TRACK CONTINUES TO CHANGE.

WE NOW EXPECT THE STORM TO STRENGTHEN INTO A HURRICANE AGAIN THIS EVENING BEFORE MAKING ANOTHER LANDFALL.

NEAR CHARLESTON SOUTH CAROLINA.

SO FOR NORTH CAROLINIANS I WANT TO BE CLEAR.

THIS STORM CAN STILL BE DANGEROUS AND EVEN DEADLY.

HEAVY RAINS UP TO 7 INCHES IN SOME AREAS ARE LIKELY TO BRING FLOODING.

LANDSLIDES ARE A THREAT IN OUR MOUNTAINS AND THERE'S A CHANCE OF TORNADOES STATEWIDE.

COASTAL FLOODING.

HEAVY RAIN AND GUSTY WINDS ARE LIKELY AS THIS STORM PASSES THROUGH.

REMEMBER IT WAS ONLY 13 MONTHS AGO THAT TROPICAL STORM FRED BROUGHT DESTRUCTION AND DEATH TO OUR MOUNTAINS AND WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

THAT STORM KILLED 6 PEOPLE IN DAMAGED 125 HOMES ALONG WITH MORE THAN 200 ROADS AND BRIDGES.

IN ADDITION, NORTH CAROLINIANS NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR POTENTIAL POWER OUTAGES THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND.

AND IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY IT'S TIME TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR FAMILY IS PREPARED.

IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE MULTIPLE WAYS TO RECEIVE EMERGENCY INFORMATION LIKE A BATTERY POWERED RADIO OR CELL PHONE.

SO YOU CAN RECEIVE STORM WEATHER WATCHES AND WARNINGS.

NEED TO GATHER EMERGENCY SUPPLIES LIKE NON-PERISHABLE FOOD WATER AND FLASHLIGHTS IN CASE YOU LOSE POWER.

IF YOU ALREADY HAVE AN EMERGENCY CAN'T GET NOW IT'S A GOOD TIME TO CHECK FOR THE BATTERIES AND REFRESHER SUPPLIES.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN EMERGENCY KIT.

THE READYNC.GOV THAT'S READYNC.GOV WEBSITE.

WE'LL TELL YOU HOW TO ASSEMBLE IT.

ALSO IT'S GOOD TO PLAN TO HAVE A PLACE TO GO.

IF YOU HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR HOME.

MOST IMPORTANT.

DON'T DRIVE THROUGH WATER ON THE ROADS.

MANY PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN PAST STORMS WHEN THEIR VEHICLES WERE CAUGHT IN FLOOD WATERS.

WE'RE SEEING PEOPLE RIGHT NOW BEING RESCUED FROM CARS IN FLORIDA.

DON'T TAKE THE CHANCE.

IF A ROAD IS FLOODED.

TURNAROUND FIND A DIFFERENT ROUTE.

IF YOU CAN'T SEE THE PAVEMENT BENEATH THE WATER.

THEN THERE'S LIKELY A PROBLEM.

YESTERDAY I DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY TO HELP US PREPARE AND RESPOND TO THIS STORM.

THIS ACTIVATES THE STATE'S EMERGENCY OPERATION PLAN IT EASES RULES TO HELP WITH THE TRANSPORT OF FUEL AND CRITICAL SUPPLIES, INCLUDING CROPS AND LIVESTOCK.

AND IT PROTECTS CONSUMERS FROM PRICE GOUGING.

IT ALSO ALLOWS US TO SEEK FEDERAL ASSISTANCE AND REIMBURSEMENT.

IF THAT BECOMES NECESSARY.

I'VE ALSO ACTIVATED 80 MEMBERS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD TO HELP WITH STORM RESPONSE.

SOME OF THESE MEN AND WOMEN WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH HIGH CLEARANCE VEHICLES TO MOVE PEOPLE AND RESOURCES SAFELY IN FLOODED AREAS.

OUR STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER WHERE WE ARE NOW HAS BEEN ACTIVATED AND STAFFED WITH PEOPLE ACROSS STATE GOVERNMENT NONPROFITS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THE RESOURCES TO HELP OUR COMMUNITIES IF THEY NEED IT.

TODAY WE HAVE WITH US EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR WILL RAY.

PUBLIC SAFETY SECRETARY EDDIE BUFFALOE.

TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY HAD ERIC BOYETTE.

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

AND MAJOR GENERAL TODD HUNT THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD.

OUR SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS ARE NICOLE FOX AND MONICA MCKEE.

AND BEHIND THE SCENES, JACKIE METIVIER AND ERICA COOGLER OUR SPANISH LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS I'LL NOW TURN IT OVER TO DIRECTOR RAY.

THANK YOU GOVERNOR GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

AS THE GOVERNOR SAID.

>> THE STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM ACTIVATED HERE AT THE STATE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER THIS MORNING ALONG WITH OUR 3 REGIONAL COORDINATION CENTERS ACROSS THE STATE AND WILL MAINTAIN THAT POSTURE THROUGH THE DURATION OF THIS EVENT.

WE HAVE A TOTAL OF 350 PERSONNEL WORKING HERE AND AT OUR 3 REGIONAL CENTERS IN THE EASTERN CENTRAL AND WESTERN BRANCHES AS WELL AS SOME WORKING REMOTELY TO SUPPORT THE RESPONSE.

THAT INCLUDES EMPLOYEES FROM STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FEDERAL PARTNERS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM VOLUNTARY NONPROFIT AND PRIVATE SECTOR AGENCIES THAT IS THE STRENGTH OF THE STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM ALL THOSE ORGANIZATIONS WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP COLLABORATING TO MAKE SURE WE CAN GET THE RIGHT RESOURCES TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES WHEN THEY'RE NEEDED.

IN ADDITION TO THE SEARCH AND RESCUE CAPABILITY THAT IS HELD LOCALLY ACROSS THE STATE.

THESE ARE TEAMS THAT ARE STAFFED BY LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS WE'RE ALSO DEPLOYING IN PRE POSITIONING SOME ADDITIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE AND SWIFT WATER RESCUE TEAMS TO AREAS OF CONCERN WHERE THE HIGHER RAINFALL AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED.

IN CASE.

THEY'RE NEEDED THERE.

WE'RE STAGING COMPONENTS OF 2 URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE TASK FORCES AND 7 ADDITIONAL SWIFT WATER TEAMS ACROSS THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL AREAS OF OUR STATE TO MOVE INTO IMPACTED AREAS AS NEEDED.

THAT'S THE GOVERNOR STATED THE NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD HAS MOBILIZED A NUMBER OF FORCE PACKAGES TO SUPPORT EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND THOSE WILL ALSO BE PRAY SPREE STATES IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL AREAS OF OUR STATE.

FINALLY SUPPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION THE STATE HIGHWAY PATROL, THE OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL IN THE OFFICE OF EMS ARE ALSO COLLATED IN OUR RICO LOCATED ACROSS THE STATE IN OUR REGIONAL CENTERS TO SUPPORT EFFECTIVE RESPONSE.

AS THE GOVERNOR STATED PLEASE REMAIN AWARE OF THE CURRENT FORECAST AND THE POSSIBLE RISK TO YOUR AREA OR WHERE YOU'RE TRAVELING.

THE TRACK OF HURRICANE IAN CONTINUES TO EVOLVE AND ADJUST WHERE WE MAY SEE IMPACTS HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA.

WITH GUSTY WINDS AND POTENTIALLY SATURATED GROUNDS WE'RE LIKELY TO SEE TOPPLED TREES BRINGING DOWN POWER LINES AND CAUSING POWER OUTAGES.

WHILE WE'RE NOT ANTICIPATING WIDESPREAD POWER OUTAGES AT THIS TIME ISOLATED OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE WITH THE INCREASE IN POTENTIAL WIND SPEEDS THAT WE HAVE SEEN.

IF YOUR POWER GOES OUT PLEASE REMEMBER SOME BASIC SAFETY RULES ALWAYS USE GENERATORS OUTDOORS AND AWAY FROM THE HOME TO AVOID THE RISK OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING THIS IS THE SAME FOR GAS AND CHARCOAL GRILLS NEVER USE THOSE INDOORS AS THEIR FUMES CAN BE DEADLY.

DON'T TRY TO CHARGE YOUR CELL PHONE BY RUNNING THE CAR IN THE GARAGE THAT CREATES DEADLY CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES AS WELL.

AGAIN WHILE WE DON'T EXPECT WIDESPREAD EVACUATIONS WILL BE NEEDED DURING THE STORM FOR THOSE THAT LIVE IN OUR COASTAL COUNTIES, WE'RE COASTAL FLOODING WILL BE A THREAT MAKE SURE YOU KNOW YOUR ZONE THAT IS NO IF YOU LIVE IN A PRE-DETERMINED EVACUATION ZONE ABOUT 20 COUNTIES ON THE COAST HAVE ESTABLISHED THE ZONES THAT LOCAL OFFICIALS WILL USE IF THEY NEED TO ORDER EVACUATIONS.

VISIT KNOWYOURZONE.NC.GOV TO FIND OUT IF YOU LIVE IN ONE OF THESE EVACUATION ZONES AND LISTEN FOR YOUR ZONE.

IF EVACUATIONS ARE ORDERED.

AGAIN IT'S GOOD TO BE PREPARED.

BUT WE DON'T EXPECT WIDESPREAD EVACUATIONS WITH THIS STORM.

WE RECEIVED SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT PROVIDING NORTH CAROLINA RESOURCES TO FLORIDA AS WELL AS OTHER IMPACTED STATES.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE RESOURCES PROVIDING TACTICAL COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT AT THE FLORIDA STATE THE OC AND AS SOON AS WE KNOW THAT OTHER RESOURCES WILL NOT BE NEEDED HERE AT HOME.

WE WILL QUICKLY PIVOT TO LOOK AT OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS IN THOSE IMPACTED STATES.

I WANT TO SAY I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM, LOCAL STATE.

FEDERAL TRIBAL NONPROFIT IN VOLUNTEER AGENCIES AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR THAT ALL WORK TOGETHER TO PREPARE AND RESPOND TO ULTIMATELY PROTECT 10.5 MILLION NORTH CAROLINIANS WE ALSO NEED EACH OF YOU AS A PART OF THAT WHOLE OF COMMUNITY APPROACH TO CHECK ON YOUR NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY AS WE MOVE THROUGH THIS EVENT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS SAFE AND SECURE.

THANK YOU GOVERNOR.

>> THANK YOU DIRECTOR.

AND NOW WE WILL HEAR FROM NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY ERIC BOYETTE.

>> THANK YOU GOVERNOR GOOD AFTERNOON FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION A LOT TO START BY SAYING OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH OUR NEIGHBORS TO THE SOUTH AS THEY RECOVER FROM THE DEVASTATION BROUGHT ON BY THE STORM.

IN C DOT IS ACTIVELY MONITORING THE STORM CLOSELY AND OTHER WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT ARE IMPACTING OUR STATE.

THIS WILL HELP US RESPOND TO THE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA.

OUR CREWS HAVE CHECK NECESSARY EQUIPMENT TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE READY.

WE HAVE HAD MORE THAN 2200 EMPLOYEES STATEWIDE HELP US PREPARE THIS WEEK FOR THIS EVENT.

WE HAVE ABOUT 1500 CHAINSAWS 11,000 BARRICADES EMERGENCY SCIENCE AND AMPLE FUEL SUPPLY TO RESPOND.

WE HAVE ALSO SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT READY TO CLEAR DEBRIS AND ABOUT 1400 TRUCKS 400 BACK O'S AND LOADERS AND MORE THAN 200 MOTOR GRADERS READY TO RESPOND.

THE DIVISIONS HAVE ALSO TAKE AN INVENTORY OF ITEMS THAT THEY NEED TO USE FOR A PAIR OF PIPES AND BRIDGES AS NEEDED.

OUR TRAFFIC SAFETY UNITS HAVE BEEN PROACTIVELY MONITORING SPEEDS ON OUR NORTH SOUTH INTERSTATE ROUTE SINCE EARLY THIS WEEK.

AND AT THIS POINT THEY HAVE NOT OBSERVED ANY ISSUES WITH THE ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC COMING FROM AND BACK AWAY SHUNS A ROAD CONSTRUCTION ACROSS ALL OF OUR STATE COULD PAUL'S DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER IMPACTS IN THE EAST THAT COULD COME TO EXPRESS A PASSENGER FERRY FOR THE 20 TO 2022 SEASON ENDED EARLY YESTERDAY DUE TO POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO THE OUTER BANKS.

WE'VE ALSO SUSPENDED THE FERRY ROUTES FROM CEDAR ISLAND.

IT'S ONE OF THE QUARTER TO OCRACOKE ISLAND THIS MORNING DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS.

DUE TO THE ANTICIPATED USE OF HIGH WINDS OUR PORTS AUTHORITY WILL PAUL'S VESSEL OPERATIONS FRIDAY IN WILMINGTON AND MOREHEAD CITY AT THIS TIME ALL STATE-RUN PASSENGER TRAINS ARE CONTINUE TO OPERATE.

BUT FOR THE LATEST SCHEDULES PLEASE VISIT NC BY TRAIN .ORG.

LOOKING AHEAD ONCE THE DAMAGE IS ASSESSED, WE WILL WORK TO GET OUR ROADS OPEN SWIFTLY AS POSSIBLE USING OUR CONTRACT PARTNERS AS NEEDED.

SAFETY IS ALWAYS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE STAYS OFF THE ROADS IN THE STORM AFFECTED AREAS.

PLEASE DON'T DRIVE THROUGH ROADS WITH STANDING WATER TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN.

NEVER DRIVE AROUND BARRICADES, THE BARRICADES ARE THERE TO PROTECT YOU PLEASE BE PATIENT.

AND WE ALWAYS ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK AT AND VISIT DRIVENC.GOV FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON TRAVEL CONDITIONS.

AGAIN THANK YOU AND PLEASE BE SAFE.

GOVERNOR.

>> THANK YOU SECRETARY BOYETTE IF YOU GUYS HAVE QUESTIONS WE HAVE MICROPHONES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROOM AND THEY'RE ALSO BE WILL TAKE QUESTIONS FROM PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE CALLED IN IN ADDITION TO DIRECTOR RAY AND SECRETARY BOYETTE WE HAVE WE HAVE SECRETARY BUFFALO COMMANDER JOHNSON, AND GENERAL HUNT HERE TO TAKE QUESTIONS AS WELL.

ANY QUESTIONS GUYS.

>> MY NAME IS EVAN SERY WITH SPECTRUM NEWS ONE.

THANKS FOR TAKING MY QUESTION.

HOW HAS WHAT HAS TRANSPIRED IN FLORIDA AFFECTED STRATEGIES HERE.

FOR PREPARATION FOR THIS STORM.

>> WE KNOW THAT THE STORMS CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE AND THEIR STRENGTH CAN BE SO IMPACTFUL.

WE WE KNOW THE PLAN UNFORTUNATELY HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA, WE HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE HAVING GONE THROUGH THE STORMS AND SO I THINK WE ARE READY ACROSS THE BOARD.

WE KNOW TOO THAT EVEN THOUGH THIS STORM WILL LOSE STRENGTH BY THE TIME IT REACHES NORTH CAROLINA THAT EVEN TROPICAL OR SUBTROPICAL STORMS WITH HEAVY RAINS AND WIND CAN CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE AND DEATH IN NORTH CAROLINA.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BE READY.

WE ALSO ONCE THIS STORM PASSES HERE AND WE MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE GOT THE RESOURCES WE NEED.

WE WILL PROVIDE HELP PROVIDE MORE RESOURCES TO FLORIDA.

IF THEY NEED THEM.

>> DAWN VAUGHAN WITH THE NEWS AND OBSERVER YOU ALL MENTIONED WATCHING IT AND POTENTIAL CHANGES ONCE IT REACHES HERE.

WHAT KIND OF PLANS ARE IN PLACE FOR POTENTIAL EMERGENCY SHELTERS, IF IT DOESN'T TRACK EXACTLY WHERE EVERYONE THINKS IT'S GOING AND ANOTHER RESPONSE.

>> YEAH, THERE THERE'S AT LEAST ONE COUNTY THAT'S TALKING ABOUT PUTTING TOGETHER AN EMERGENCY SHELTER, BUT I'LL LET DIRECTOR RAY ADDRESS THAT SPECIFICALLY.

>> SO THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION DAWN, AND I THINK AS YOU SAID AND AS WE TALKED ABOUT.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE PROBABLY SOME CONTINUED SHIFTS AND EVOLUTION OF WHERE THIS STORM WILL ACTUALLY MAKE LANDFALL IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

TOMORROW I THINK MAKING SURE THAT THIS TEAM IS HERE THAT WE ARE ALL WORKING TOGETHER CLOSELY MONITORING IT IS GOING TO ALLOW US TO QUICKLY.

PIVOT AND ADJUST AND SEE IF THAT STORM DOES ENTER SOUTH CAROLINA IN THE MORE NORTHERN AREA THAT IMPACTS IN OUR SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE STATE A DIFFERENT WAY OR CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE A DIFFERENT WAY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THOSE PARTNERS HERE READY TO MOVE THOSE RESOURCES AROUND PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY SHELTERING.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE CRITICAL.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION OVER THE COURSE OF THIS WEEK AND HAS RAMPED UP TODAY WITH OUR LOCAL PARTNERS WITH OUR LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS ON WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT FROM BOTH A NEED AND STAFFING STANDPOINT TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT EMERGENCY EMERGENCY SHELTERING.

AGAIN WE HAVE ONE COUNTY THAT HAS KIND OF PROACTIVELY LEANED FORWARD AND IS LOOKING AT POTENTIALLY OPENING ONE TONIGHT.

THAT'S PENDING I THINK DISCUSSION WITH THE COUNTY LEADERSHIP.

WE KNOW THERE'S DISCUSSION WITH MANY OTHER COUNTIES ABOUT WHAT MAY BE NEEDED BASED ON STORM TRACK AND UNDERSTANDING THAT AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE REST OF TODAY AND INTO TONIGHT WE STILL HAVE IT SIGNIFICANT OUT OF TIME FOR THE STORM TO CONTINUE TO SHIFT AND EVOLVE.

SO AGAIN IT TO ME THIS REINFORCES WHY WE NEED TO HAVE THIS FORWARD LEAN.

WHY THE STATE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER NEEDED TO BE ACTIVATED PROACTIVELY TODAY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THOSE PARTNERS IN THIS BUILDING AND IN OUR REGIONAL CENTERS, SO THAT AS WE SEE WHAT THE IMPACT WILL BE ON THE GROUND.

WE CAN QUICKLY MOVE THE RIGHT RESOURCES AROUND.

>> AND FOR PEOPLE THINKING ABOUT THE NEXT DAYS AHEAD IS IT PRIMARILY TOMORROW IS THE MOST CONCERNED AS FAR AS AS FAR AS NORTH CAROLINA SOMETIME.

>> SO RIGHT NOW WE WILL START TO SEE IMPACTS TOMORROW THROUGH THE DAY INTO THE EVENING.

PRIMARILY THE TIMING HAS SHIFTED AGAIN, THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY YOU FOLKS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE FORECAST EARLIER THIS WEEK IT WAS GOING TO BE A SATURDAY IMPACT NOW IT'S LARGELY A FRIDAY IMPACT WE WILL SEE SOME LINGERING PARTS OF THE SYSTEM MOVED THROUGH THE STATE SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY SO THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AND PRECIPITATION AND RISK FROM WEATHER THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

BUT THE BULK OF THE WEATHER AND THE RISK THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW FROM EITHER THE WESTERN PART OF THE STATE OR ON THE COAST.

HE'S GOING TO REALLY BE CONCENTRATED RIGHT NOW.

TOMORROW AND TOMORROW NIGHT.

>> I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY REGARDING THE PRE POSITIONING THE CREWS, IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY'RE PRIMARILY IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL PARTS OF THE STATE IS ANYTHING GOING ON IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE STATE OR ARE YOU ALL JUST NOT EXPECTING THE EASTERN PART TO BE AS HEAVILY IMPACTED AS THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN PARTS.

>> SO I THINK A COUPLE THINGS A GREAT GREAT QUESTION COUPLE THINGS ONE.

THERE ARE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SEARCH AND RESCUE AND SWIFT WATER RESCUE CAPABILITIES THAT WE HAVE ACROSS OUR COUNTIES ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA, ESPECIALLY IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE STATE.

ONE OF THE REASONS WE PICKED THE TASK FORCES THAT WE DID TO MOVE TO WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA WAS TO LEAVE SOME OF THE CAPABILITY ORGANIC TOO.

THOSE AREAS IN EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

ADDITIONALLY NOT KNOWING EXACTLY WHERE THE STORM WILL TRACK INTO NORTH CAROLINA AND WHAT THOSE IMPACTS MAY BE HAVING THE TEAM STATIONED IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA ALONG THE MAJOR THROUGH WAYS ARE GOING TO ALLOW US TO MOVE THEM EITHER DIRECTION IF WE SEE THE MAJOR RISK OR THREAT OCCURRING BECAUSE OF LANDSLIDES AND FLASH FLOODING IN THE MOUNTAINS.

WE ALREADY HAVE SOME PREPOSITION THERE BUT TO BE ABLE TO MOVE SOME THAT ARE STAGED IN THE TRIAD AREA THAT DIRECTION WOULD BE WOULD BE ONE POSSIBILITY OR THE OTHER DIRECTION TO THESE AGAIN THAT'S GOING TO BE DETERMINED BASED ON FINAL TRACK INTO THE STATE WOULD IMPACT WE'RE SEEING AS WELL AS WHAT THE THE LOCAL JURISDICTIONS IDENTIFY ARE THERE GAPS OR NEEDS BECAUSE AGAIN.

WE HAVE SOME INCREDIBLE LOCAL PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES IN THE STATE THAT DO INCREDIBLE WORK EVERY DAY AND HAVE DONE A REALLY GREAT JOB AT BUILDING CAPACITY, ESPECIALLY AROUND SEARCH AND RESCUE AND SWIFT WATER.

DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE PHONE?

>> LINE PLEASE PRESS ONE AT THIS TIME IF YOU'D LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION REPORTERS ON THE PHONE PLEASE PRESS ONE, TO ASK A QUESTION.

I DON'T SEE ANY HANDS OF THIS TIME GOVERNOR OKAY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY, EVERYBODY STAY SAFE OUT THERE.