GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

YOU KNOW, I'VE TRAVELED ACROSS WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA ALMOST EVERY DAY.

THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

AND I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TRAVELING THERE THIS WEEK.

THE DEVASTATION THAT I'VE WITNESSED IS HARD TO DESCRIBE.

HOLMES AND BUSINESSES FLOODED AND DESTROYED ROADS AND BRIDGES COMPLETELY WASHED AWAY.

HAVE A SHIRT.

FAMILIES AND LOCAL OFFICIALS ON THE GROUND THAT WE WILL PURSUE ALL AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE FOR THE AREA'S LONG-TERM RECOVERY.

AND FOR THE PAST 11 DAYS, WE'VE CONTINUED A MASSIVE AROUND THE CLOCK RESPONSE TO THIS UNPRECEDENTED DEVASTATION BROUGHT TO WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA BY HURRICANE JULIE.

THANKS TO THE HISTORIC, HIGHLY COORDINATED EFFORT AMONG STATE, LOCAL AND FEDERAL PARTNERS AND OUR VOLUNTEERS.

WE'VE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS.

POWER OUTAGES ARE NOW DOWN UNDER 81,000 FROM A MILLION.

ALMOST 700 DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS IN THE DISASTER COUNTIES ARE BACK TO NORMAL WITH MORE COMING ONLINE EACH DAY.

TNT AND VERIZON HAVE REPORTED 80% OF OUTAGES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.

THERE ARE 17 SHELTERS FOR AND FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM.

18 OF THE 29 SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN COUNTIES AFFECTED BY THIS DISASTER ARE BACK OPEN.

AND WE'RE IN TOUCH WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS TO SUPPORT THE REOPENING OF THE REMAINING 11 SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

FEMA HAS APPROVED ABOUT 126,000 PEOPLE FOR INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE WITH MORE THAN 60 MILLION DOLLARS ALREADY PAID TO THESE PEOPLE.

FEMA IS ALSO PAYING FOR TEMPORARY STAYS FOR 2500 PEOPLE IN HOTELS AND TOGETHER, WE'RE WORKING ON MORE TEMPORARY HOUSING.

TO APPLY FOR FEMA ASSISTANCE.

GO ONLINE TO DISASTER ASSISTANCE, .GOV.

OR YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE FEMA APP OR CALL 1-800-621-3362.

THERE IS A LOT MORE BEING DONE.

BUT IT'S CLEAR THAT WE'RE STILL AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS RECOVERY AND MUCH MORE WORK REMAINS AHEAD FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA TO RECOVER STRONGER THAN EVER.

AND IT WILL.

I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK OF SO MANY PEOPLE TO HELP OUR NEIGHBORS AND BEGIN TO REBUILD OUR COMMUNITIES.

I WANT TO EXTEND MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THOSE WHO'VE LOST LOVED ONES.

I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE PAIN IN THE EYES OF SO MANY OF YOU.

BUT I'VE ALSO SEEN DETERMINATION AT THE SAME TIME.

I'VE HEARD FIRSTHAND ABOUT AMAZING ACTS OF COURAGE AND COMPASSION.

A FIREFIGHTER PULLING A WOMAN OUT OF THE KITCHEN WINDOW.

IS YOUR HOUSE FLOODED?

A RESCUE WORKER TAKING CHEMOTHERAPY DRUGS ON AN ATV TO A HARD TO REACH HOME.

HURRICANE HELENE WAS A POWERFUL REMINDER OF NATURE'S MIGHT.

BUT ALSO REVEALED THE UNBREAKABLE SPIRIT OF OUR PEOPLE.

TO ALL THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO WORK TIRELESSLY.

YOUR BRAVERY AND DEDICATION.

SHOW WHAT BEING A COMMUNITY MEANS.

TODAY.

RESPONSE AND RECOVERY OPERATIONS CONTINUE IN FULL FORCE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

WE'VE HAD A CONSTANT SEARCH AND RESCUE WORK AND FOOD AND SUPPLY DELIVERY AND RUGGED TERRAIN BY LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONDERS, FEMA, THE NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD, ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL FROM FORT LIBERTY AND FORT CAMPBELL STATE.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, THE HIGHWAY PATROL AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND OTHER AGENCIES ALONG WITH ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS TO ENSURE THE AID REACHES PEOPLE TO SWIFTLY AS POSSIBLE.

THIS IS A TRUE ALL HANDS ON DECK MOMENT.

WITH THIS ENORMOUS EFFORT UNDER WAY.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THE ONSLAUGHT OF LIES AND MISINFORMATION THAT ARE IMPACTING THE PEOPLE THERE ON THE GROUND.

THIS MISINFORMATION IS CONFUSING TO PEOPLE TRYING TO GET HELP.

IT'S DEMORALIZING AND DANGEROUS FOR PEOPLE WORKING SO HARD TO DELIVER THAT HELP.

I STRONGLY URGE PEOPLE TO VERIFY WITH RESPECTED NEWS SOURCES.

THE INFORMATION IN THE VIDEOS THAT HAVE BEEN SENT TO YOU ASK QUESTIONS, DON'T HESITATE TO ASK FOR ASSISTANCE FROM FEMA OR FROM STATE RESPONDERS.

ON THE OTHER HAND, MANY PEOPLE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP.

I APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS OF THE LEGISLATURE TODAY TO PASS A BILL TO AID THESE COMMUNITIES.

WE'VE ALSO ACTIVATED THE NORTH CAROLINA DISASTER RELIEF FUND MANAGED BY THE UNITED WAY OF NORTH CAROLINA.

DONATIONS TO THIS FUND GO DIRECTLY TO ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING RELIEF ON THE GROUND.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO MAKE A DONATION VISIT, NC .GOV.

BACKSLASH DONATE.

I'M HEARTENED BY THE PROGRESS THAT'S BEING MADE.

BUT WE KNOW THE ROAD TO A FULL RECOVERY IS LONG.

AND WE MUST BE COMMITTED TO WORK TOGETHER INTO WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA IS FULLY RESTORED.

TODAY.

I'M JOINED BY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR WILL RIGHT.

FEMA ADMINISTRATOR DEANNE CRISWELL.

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

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, CODY KINSLEY.

SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, MARY PENNY KELLEY.

THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, JOEY HOPKINS.

IT'S SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

EDDIE BUFFALOE.

OUR AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS ARE NICOLE FOX AND BRIAN TIPTON AND BEHIND THE SCENES, OUR SPANISH LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS OR JACKIE METIVIER AND ERICA COOGLER.

WILL FIRST HEAR FROM EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WILL.

THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

THE RESPONSE AND RECOVERY OPERATIONS ACROSS WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA CONTINUE IN FULL FORCE.

>> THIS IS A HISTORIC DISASTER.

THE MAGNITUDE OF WHICH WE HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE IN OUR STATE.

THE ROAD TO RECOVERY WILL BE LONG.

BUT NORTH CAROLINIANS ARE STRONG AND RESILIENT AND TOGETHER WE WILL RECOVER FROM THIS DISASTER.

THE STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM ASSISTED BY STATES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, NONPROFITS AND VOLUNTEERS HAVE COME TOGETHER TO EXECUTE THE LARGEST HAUL OF COMMUNITY RESPONSE IN NORTH CAROLINA HISTORY.

THESE DEDICATED ORGANIZATIONS ARE CONTINUING TO WORK AROUND THE CLOCK TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF OUR MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES.

GOODS AND SERVICES ARE STEADILY FLOWING INTO IMPACTED COMMUNITIES OVER 1600 RESPONDERS.

FROM 35 STATES REMAIN IN THE IMPACTED AREA TO SUPPORT THE RESPONSE AND RECOVERY EFFORTS.

THESE RESOURCES INCLUDE SEARCH TEAMS, PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES, EMERGENCY MANAGERS, LOGISTICS SPECIALISTS, AND MORE.

THEIR COMBINED EFFORTS HAVE RESULTED IN THE SUCCESSFUL RESCUE OF HUNDREDS OF NORTH CAROLINIANS.

THE NORTH CAROLINA OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL CONTINUES TO COORDINATE NORTH CAROLINA.

FIREFIGHTERS AND APPARATUS TO ASSIST LOCAL RESPONDERS IN THE HARDEST HIT AREAS AND ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH IMPACTED FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENTS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY IS SUSTAINED.

AS OF TODAY, THERE ARE 380 NORTH CAROLINA FIREFIGHTERS WITH OVER 65 FIRE TRUCKS ON DEPLOYMENT IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

THE NORTH CAROLINA SEARCH AND RESCUE PROGRAM, NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD AND PARTNERS FROM FEDERAL TEAMS AND OTHER STATES HAVE ASSISTED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO NEEDED RESCUE EVACUATION AND OTHER ASSISTANCE.

15 COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTERS REMAIN ACTIVATED WITH 25 COUNTIES, STATES OF EMERGENCY.

AND 52 MUNICIPAL STATES OF EMERGENCY IN PLACE.

AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, THERE ARE 17 SHELTERS OPEN WITH 715 RESIDENTS BEING SERVED ALONG WITH 100.

22 PETS.

THE MASK FEEDING TASK FORCE HAS 3 SITES OPERATIONAL CONTINUING IN BUNCOMBE MCDOWELL AND WATAUGA COUNTIES AND CONTINUE TO ASSIST OTHER FEEDING OPERATIONS IN CONCERT WITH OUR LOCAL PARTNERS, INCLUDING 45 MOBILE SITES ACROSS 13 COUNTIES.

THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 360,000 MEALS PROVIDED TO IMPACTED COMMUNITIES AS OF TODAY.

FEMA CURRENTLY HAS OVER 900 PERSONNEL ON THE GROUND, SETTING UP ASSISTANCE CENTERS AND DISTRIBUTING INFORMATION TO IMPACTED COMMUNITIES FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

THESE INDIVIDUALS CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THEIR FEMA LOGO APPAREL AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IDENTIFICATION.

THEY'RE A DISASTER.

SURVIVOR ASSISTANCE TEAMS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS 22 LOCATIONS AND 10 COUNTIES.

AS OF THIS MORNING.

TO DATE, THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 134,000 NORTH CAROLINIANS THAT HAVE APPLIED FOR FEMA INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE WITH OVER 60 MILLION DOLLARS APPROVED FOR DISPERSEMENT DIRECTLY TO THOSE SURVIVORS.

I WANT TO THANK FEMA FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO ENSURING THAT DISASTER SURVIVORS GET EXPEDIENT ACCESS, THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR IMMEDIATE NEEDS.

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS ARE BEING STOOD UP IN RAPID ORDER TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE TO IMPACT IN NORTH CAROLINIANS, TO INCLUDE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND THE DIRECT HOUSING PROGRAM.

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS ARE BEING OPENED IN THE IMPACTED COMMUNITIES FOR THOSE NEEDING ASSISTANCE TO RECEIVE INFORMATION AND TO HELP FACILITATE APPLICATIONS.

WE WILL SEE DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS OPEN IN BUNCOMBE MCDOWELL CALDWELL AND JACKSON COUNTIES THIS WEEK, THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL SITES ANNOUNCED AS PLANS ARE BEING FINALIZED IN CLOSE COORDINATION WITH OUR LOCAL PARTNERS.

THE NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD HAS DEPLOYED 3,500 TOTAL PERSONNEL ALONG WITH THE FORCE OF 33 ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT AND 1300 VEHICLES.

THE MISSION CONTINUES TO BE RESCUE ROUTE CLEARANCE, COMMODITY DISTRIBUTION AND RESUPPLY TO CRITICAL FUNCTIONS.

THEIR ROADWAYS THAT REMAIN CLOSE LARGELY DUE TO THE IMPACTS FROM FLOODING.

RAILROAD OPERATORS CONTINUE THEIR DAMAGE.

ASSESSMENTS AND REPAIRS HAVE BEGUN IN MANY AREAS WITH RESTORATION OF RAIL ACCESS COMING BACK ONLINE IN THE NEXT 2 WEEKS.

THERE ARE 53 WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS IN THE AFFECTED AREA THAT ARE NOW OPERATING UNDER NORMAL PROCESSES.

28 WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES ARE PARTIALLY OPERATIONAL WITH SOME OPERATING ON BACKUP POWER.

I WOULD ESPECIALLY LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO NC WATER.

WARREN, A COLLABORATIVE OF WATER TREATMENT AND PUBLIC UTILITY SPECIALIST FROM ACROSS THE STATE THAT HAVE DEPLOYED TO ASSIST WITH BRINGING THESE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES BACK ONLINE.

QUICKLY.

THERE ARE AREAS IN THE MOUNTAINS THAT ARE STILL EXPERIENCING CELLULAR AND DATA OUTAGES.

OUR TELECOMMUNICATIONS PARTNERS ARE REPORTING THAT THEY HAVE SUCCESSFULLY RESTORED A PERCENT AS THE GOVERNOR SAID OF THESE OUTAGES AND WORK CONTINUES AROUND THE CLOCK.

IF YOU'RE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND YOUR CELLULAR DEVICE ISN'T RECONNECTING TO A NETWORK.

AS A REMINDER, PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR PHONE.

TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN TO ALLOW YOUR PHONE TO FIND A NETWORK IF ONE IS AVAILABLE IN YOUR AREA.

THE STATE'S 9-1-1 CENTERS ARE STABILIZING AND THOSE THAT NEED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE SHOULD CONTINUE TO CALL 9-1-1.

PLEASE BE AWARE OF TEMPORARY FIBER LINES WHILE CONDUCTING CLEANUP OPERATIONS.

I WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE CONVERGED ON WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA TO ASSIST IN THIS MASSIVE EFFORT.

WE TALK ABOUT THE WHOLE OF COMMUNITY APPROACH AND OVER THE LAST 2 WEEKS, WE HAVE SEEN IT PUT INTO ACTION TO SUPPORT THOSE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

THERE ARE COUNTLESS STORIES OF THE HEROIC EFFORTS OF COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORS HELPING EACH OTHER.

PUBLIC SECTOR, PRIVATE SECTOR NONPROFITS IN VOLUNTEER AGENCIES.

YOUR DEDICATION TO HELP OUR FELLOW NORTH CAROLINIANS.

WE'LL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

TO THOSE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

WE ARE HERE.

WE REMAIN WITH YOU.

THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

THANK YOU.

DIRECTOR WE'LL NOW HEAR FROM FEMA ADMINISTRATOR DEANNE CRISWELL TO SHARE AN UPDATE.

>> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

AND GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY.

FIRST, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR THE AMAZING PARTNERSHIP THAT I'VE HAD WITH THE GOVERNOR AS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GO OUT, TALK TO THE PEOPLE, AS YOU HEARD HERE WITH THEIR NEEDS ARE AND ENSURE THAT WE ARE MOVING OUR FEDERAL RESOURCES INTO THE PLACES THAT THEY ARE NEEDED.

MOST.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR'S PRIORITIES.

AS YOU HEARD FROM DIRECTOR RAY SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS HELPING TO GET ACCESS TO ISOLATED COMMUNITIES, MOVING THE RESOURCES FROM THE PODS TO THE PEOPLE AND HELPING TO RESTORE THE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WE HAVE BROUGHT IN THOUSANDS OF FEDERAL PERSONNEL TO SUPPORT ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT MISSIONS.

AND I WANT TO ASSURE THE PEOPLE OF NORTH CAROLINA THAT WHILE WE WATCH HURRICANE MILTON APPROACH THE COAST OF FLORIDA, YOU CAN BE ASSURED THAT NO RESOURCES ARE GOING TO BE TAKEN FROM NORTH CAROLINA.

THOSE THAT ARE HERE ON THE GROUND ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS THAT ARE STILL NEEDED FOR THE RESPONSE AND THE INITIAL RECOVERY.

AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BRING IN WHATEVER IS NEEDED TO SUPPORT THESE ONGOING RECOVERY EFFORTS.

NOW I'M GOING TO BE TRAVELING TO FLORIDA LATER THIS AFTERNOON.

SO I CAN BE THERE TO INTEGRATE WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND HELP WITH THEIR INITIAL RESPONSE.

BUT I REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR ROBERT SUMMON HAS BEEN HERE ON THE GROUND WITH THE GOVERNOR WITH DIRECTOR SINCE THE BEGINNING AND HE WILL REMAIN WHILE I'M IN FLORIDA TO HELP THIS CRITICAL RESPONSE.

I WILL RETURN TO NORTH CAROLINA TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR FEDERAL ASSETS, THE ENTIRE FEDERAL FAMILY, HE'S MOVING TO THE PLACES THAT ARE NEEDED.

AND IF WE NEED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, WE WILL CONTINUE TO BRING THOSE IN.

THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

THANK YOU.

ADMINISTRATIVE CRISWELL NOW HEAR FROM MAJOR GENERAL TODD HUNT, THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD.

>> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

AND I 4 AGAIN, I WANT TO AGAIN THANK THE SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN OF THE NORTH KIND NATIONAL GUARD.

>> AND ARE ACTIVE DUTY FOR THEIR HERCULEAN EFFORTS AS THEY PROVIDE RELIEF TO THE CITIZENS OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

ALSO LIKE TO EMPHASIZE THAT THE NORTH COM NATIONAL GUARD HAS BEEN THERE FOR BEFORE THE STORM.

THEY WERE NATIONAL THE NIGHT OF THE STORM AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

AND SO WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE.

LIKE AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, THE NORTH COM NATIONAL GUARD AND ACTIVE DUTY COMBINED HAVE OVER 3,500 PERSONNEL IN THE AREA.

ALMOST A LITTLE OVER 1200 VEHICLES THAT WORKING THIS AREA DILIGENTLY.

AND AS OF TODAY, WE HAVE DELIVERED ALMOST ALL RICE A LITTLE OVER 5,000 TIMES OF COMMODITIES.

WE'VE FLOWN ALMOST 800 FLIGHT HOURS, WHICH IS NORMALLY TWICE WHAT A UNIT WOULD DO.

AND THAT'S BEEN DONE WITH NEWARK ON NATIONAL GUARD AND ACTIVE DUTY AVIATION.

WE'VE BEEN PROVIDING SEARCH AND RESCUE ALONG THE WAY.

WITH RESUPPLY COMMODITIES.

AND AS OF TODAY, WE'RE PROVIDING NEEDED MEDICINES TO THE CITIZENS OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

WE HAVE SOLDIERS THAT ARE CURRENTLY WORKING OUT THEIR ENGINEERING UNITS AND THEY'RE WORKING WITH DOT TO CLEAR ROADS ALONG THE WAY AND SECONDARY ROADS.

WE'VE ALSO CLEAR DIVER 1000 OBSTACLES.

AS OF TODAY, WE'VE INTEGRATED WITH THE HIGHWAY PATROL TO ENSURE ROSE REMAIN OPEN AND NOT CLOG SO THAT COMMODITIES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES CAN MAKE IT TO WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.

AND MAKING SURE THAT ALL OUR COMMODITIES ARE MET.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE NORTH KIAHNNA AIR NATIONAL GUARD AS THEY CONTINUE TO DO RESUPPLY COORDINATION AND COMMODITIES WITH THEIR C 17.

ON THE FIRST DAY, WE DELIVERED ALMOST 100,000 POUNDS OF WATER INTO THE COMMUNITY.

THE NATIONAL GUARD AND THE ACTIVE DUTY COMPONENTS THAT WE HAVE WITH US HAVE TOUCHED EVERY COUNTY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND WE HAVE A LIAISON OFFICERS WITH STARLINK AND COMMUNICATION TOOLS THAT CAN HELP WITHOUT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PARTNERS AS WELL.

AGAIN, WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SEARCH RESCUE, RELOCATION, COMMODITY DISTRIBUTION, WAREHOUSE OPERATIONS.

SUPPORT TO ENGINEERING AND DOT TO CLEAR SOME DEBRIS AND HELP WITH SMALL RAPID ROAD REPAIRS.

NO ONE KNOWS THE NORTH KIND NATIONAL GUARD LIKE ALL NATIONAL GUARD UNITS AS A HOMETOWN BASED FORCE, ITS VERY FOUNDATION OF OUR ORGANIZATION.

I LIKE TO GIVE A SHORT EXAMPLE OF OF HOW THAT WORKS.

SO WE HAVE CAPTAIN PAINT.

CAPTAIN PATE IS A TRADITIONAL GUARDSMAN.

THE DRILLS, YOU KNOW, ONCE A MONTH AND DURING THE SUMMER, BUT HE'S ALSO A UPS DRIVER IN AVERY COUNTY.

SO RIGHT NOW, CAPTAIN PATE IS OUR LIAISON OFFICER WITH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IN AVERY COUNTY USING HIS CIVILIAN SKILL SET BECAUSE HE KNOWS THE ROAD NETWORKS AND WHO'S THERE AND THE COUNTY TO HELP PROVIDE ADDITIONAL COMMODITIES FROM THE COMMODITY POSED TO THE COMMODITY STATION TO INDIVIDUAL HOMES IS NECESSARY.

SO THAT IS HOW THE NATIONAL GUARD IS IN WORKING IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND ARE ACTIVE.

DUTY BROTHERS AND SISTERS ARE DOING THE SAME THING.

SO IN CLOSING, I WANT TO THANK THE SOLDIERS, AIRMEN AND THE ACTIVE DUTY AND THEIR FAMILIES.

MANY OF WHO IF IN THE REGION HAVE LOST ALL THEY HAVE AND THEIR HOMES, BUT STILL ANSWER THE CALL TO SERVE AND TO THE FOR THE CITIZENS OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEIR RETURN TO NORMAL LIFE.

THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

THANK YOU.

GENERAL HUNT.

NOW I'D LIKE TO ASK TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY JOEY HOPKINS TO SHARE AN UPDATE.

>> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

WHILE WE STILL HAVE MANY ROADS CLOSED IN DAMAGE.

WE'RE THANKFUL FOR OUR CREWS AND CONTRACTORS WHO HAVE REOPENED MORE THAN 460 ROADS.

WE'RE REPORTING JUST OVER 600 ROAD CLOSURES IN OUR SYSTEM.

98 OF THOSE ARE PRIMARY ROADS AND THIS NUMBER IS STILL CHANGING DAILY AS COMMUNICATIONS IMPROVE AND WE REACH MORE SITES.

WE'VE IDENTIFIED MORE THAN 5800 DAMAGED SITE.

THIS INCLUDES MORE THAN 500 BRIDGES AND 600 COVERT.

AND WE DO EXPECT AT LEAST 100 BRIDGES WILL REQUIRE FULL REPLACEMENT.

THAT NUMBER COULD RISE AS WE LEARN MORE FROM ONGOING ASSESSMENTS.

WE HAVE A WATER TO CONTRACT TO WRIGHT BROTHERS, CONSTRUCTION TO STABILIZE THE WESTBOUND LANES OF I-40 THERE IN THE PIGEON RIVER GORGE.

THE CONTRACT DOES INCLUDE INCENTIVES TO BE COMPLETE BY EARLY 2025.

WE'RE ALSO COORDINATING WITH TENNESSEE DOT SAYS THEY HAVE DAMAGE ON THEIR SIDE AS WELL AS COLLABORATING WITH OUR PARTNERS AT FHWA ON THE LONG-TERM PLAN FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF I-40 HERE.

WE PLAN TO HAVE THAT CONTRACT UNDER WAY BEFORE THE STABILIZATION OPERATION CAN CONCLUDES ON THE PERSONNEL FRONT.

WE HAVE MORE THAN 2100 DOT EMPLOYEES RESPONDED TO RECOVERY EFFORTS.

THIS INCLUDES 1700 WORKING DIRECTLY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

AND WE HAVE MORE THAN 1100 PIECES OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT DUMP TRUCKS BACK OWES LOADERS AND GRADERS IN THE AFFECTED AREA.

IN ADDITION TO THIS, WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF CONTRACT EMPLOYEES DOT CREWS FROM BOTH FLORIDA AND KENTUCKY.

THE NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD AND THE U.S. ARMY FORCES ASSISTING IN OUR EFFORTS.

THERE ARE STILL AREAS IN 10 COUNTIES THAT HAVE LIMITED ACCESS TO THE STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM.

THIS ACCESS, MAYBE BUY A TV OR FOOT BRIDGE OR EVEN BY NATIONAL GUARD VEHICLES.

AND WE'RE WORKING TO PROVIDE IMPROVE ACCESS TO THESE AREAS AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

OUR CREWS IN ASSISTANCE CONTINUE TO MAKE STEADY PROGRESS.

WE HAVE MORE THAN 2300 DEBRIS SITES ON OUR STATE HIGHWAYS AND ARE CUT AND SHOVE OPERATIONS ARE COMPLETE OR NEARLY COMPLETE IN EVERY COUNTY.

SOME LOCATIONS ARE NOW TRANSITIONING TO RECONSTRUCTION.

BUT PROGRESS DOES VARY BY COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE WE ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF ROTATING OUR STAFF TO PROVIDE RELIEF FOR THOSE INITIAL RESPONSE TEAM.

ALSO, WE'RE INCREASING CRUDE TRANSFERS AND ADDING SUPPORT EQUIPMENT AS NEEDED.

I WANT TO REITERATE THAT NON-ESSENTIAL TRAFFIC IS HINDERING OUR EFFORTS TO GET ROADS OPEN BACK UP.

CREWS ARE HAVING TO STOP WORK TO ALLOW TRAFFIC TO PASS THROUGH DAMAGED AREAS TO HELP US GET ROADS OPEN, CLEARED AND OPEN AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

WE AGAIN AS THE TRAFFIC TO USE ALTERNATIVE ROUTES.

THEY STAY OUTSIDE OF THE IMPACTED AREAS TO GET THROUGH WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

WE DO HAVE SOME TRUCKERS USING ROSE THAT WERE NOT DESIGNED OR EVEN CONSTRUCTED TO HANDLE TRUCK TRAFFIC.

AND BECAUSE OF THIS, WE HAVE HAD TO CLOSE.

SOME ROADS ARE EVEN RESTRICT ACCESS ON SOME ROUTES IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA TO PREVENT TRUCKS FROM GETTING STUCK IN TIGHT TURNS TO EMPHASIZE THIS, WE'VE DONE A NUMBER OF ALERTS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA THROUGH OUR WEBSITE, DRIVE-IN C .COM THROUGH CELL PHONE ALERTS AND OTHER WAYS TO GET THIS WORD OUT.

ON THE DMV SIDE, WE HAVE 6 DRIVER'S LICENSE OFFICE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA THAT ARE STILL CLOSED AND TO LICENSE PLATE AGENCY OFFICE THAT ARE CLOSED.

SOME OF OUR DRIVERS LICENSE OFFICES ARE NOT HAVE NOT ABLE TO DO ROAD TEST AT THIS TIME.

AND I RECOMMEND THAT YOU CALL OR CHECK BEFORE YOU GO.

IF YOU NEED THOSE SERVICES.

WE'RE VERY THANKFUL FOR THE COORDINATION OF OUR MANY PARTNERS DURING THE RECOVERY OF THIS DEVASTATION.

THAT HELLENE IS LEFT BEHIND.

AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT WE'VE RECEIVED FROM THE STATE HIGHWAY PATROL FROM EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD, U.S. ARMY FORCES AND EVEN OTHER STATE DOT EASE CONTRACTORS, UTILITIES, AND EVEN OUR COMMUNICATION PARTNERS.

ALSO, WE'VE HAD NUMEROUS PRIVATE COMPANIES AND EVEN COUNTLESS VOLUNTEER STEP UP TO CLEAR HIGHWAYS AND EVEN REPAIR ROADS IN SOME COMMUNITIES.

AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE HAS DONE THAT.

REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

AND WE ARE HERE FOR THE LONG HAUL TO THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR TODAY.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SECRETARY HOPKINS ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE WE ALSO HAVE THE COMMANDER OF THE NORTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL HERE WITH US.

WE'LL NOW HEAR FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, CODY CANCER.

THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

OUR ENTIRE TEAM AT THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING EVERY CORNER OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

IN THE WAKE OF THIS DISASTER.

NOW IN FOR THE LONG HAUL.

ALL HOSPITALS ARE OPERATING AND ACCEPTING PATIENTS.

COMMON TO A DISASTER RESPONSE.

WE ARE TRANSFERRING SOME PATIENTS AMONG FACILITIES TO RELIEVE PRESSURE ON ANYONE FACILITY.

WE'VE DEPLOYED 3 DISASTER MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TEAMS TO LENOIR ASHEVILLE AND SPRUCE PINE TO SUPPORT EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND INPATIENT UNITS.

ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE ESTABLISHED 2 FIELD HOSPITALS, ONE IN MILLS RIVER IN HICKORY.

SECOND, WE ARE PROACTIVELY REACHING OUT TO VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS.

WE'RE IN ONGOING CONTACT WITH ALL NURSING HOMES AND 95% OR MORE OF THE ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND FACILITIES SERVING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE REGION.

>> WE CAN'T REACH FACILITIES BY PHONE.

WE ARE DISPATCHING GROUND AND AIR ASSETS WE'VE ACCOUNTED FOR AND ENSURE THE SAFETY OF EVERY CHILD IN FOSTER CARE IN THE REGION.

WE'RE ALSO WORKING WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES AND LOCAL PARTNERS TO PROACTIVELY REACH OUT TO AND SUPPORT VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS LIVING AT HOME.

WE ARE SUPPORTING ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES IN COMMUNITIES.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY 234 PHARMACIES OPEN IN THE REGION.

AT LEAST ONE IN EACH COUNTY.

ALL OPIOID TREATMENT PROGRAMS ARE OPEN AND INDIVIDUALS CAN BE SERVED AT ANY OF THESE FACILITIES LIST OF THESE LOCATIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE.

NC DHHS .GOV.

WE'VE OPENED THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE SITE IN BURNSVILLE, EQUIPPED WITH ESSENTIAL MEDICATIONS, MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND AMBULANCES FOR IMMEDIATE SUPPORT.

IN ADDITION TO THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION AVAILABLE AND MASS FEEDING SITES WE HAVE PROVIDED SNAP BENEFIT FLEXIBILITIES INDIVIDUALS CAN NOW USE SNAP BENEFITS TO PURCHASE HOT FOOD.

EBT VENDORS STATEWIDE.

WE ALSO AUTOMATICALLY REPLENISHED 24 MILLION DOLLARS OF SNAP BENEFITS FOR 200,000 INDIVIDUALS IN THE REGION.

MORE THAN 80% OF EVT VENDORS ARE OPERATIONAL.

WE'VE SAID OVER 10,000 CASES OF BABY FORMULA INTO THE REGION.

REMEMBER ACCESS TO SAFE WATER REMAINS A TOP CONCERN.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ANY WATER DRINKING ANY WATER FOR DRINKING WELL OR OTHERWISE THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY FLOOD WATERS IS POTENTIALLY NOT SAFE TO USE.

PLEASE, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR YOUR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR WATER, SAFETY RESOURCES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

TRAGICALLY AT THIS TIME WE HAVE HAD 88 CONFIRM STORM FOR STORM-RELATED FATALITIES.

WE HAVE 6 FATALITY RECOVERY TEAMS IN THE REGION AND THE CENTRAL PROCESSING SITE.

WE WILL WORK QUICKLY AND METHODICALLY THROUGH THIS PROCESS PORTING AND INFORMING FAMILIES ALONG THE WAY.

LAST.

I WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT ANY DISASTER, BUT ESPECIALLY ONE OF THIS SCALE IS TRAUMATIC.

THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY TO FEEL WE HAVE DEPLOYED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS TO SHELTERS AND WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THEY CAN CALL THE DISASTER DISTRESS.

HELPLINE AT 1-800-985-5990, FOR CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELING AND SUPPORT.

MUCH IS UNDERWAY AND THERE WILL BE MUCH MORE TO DO.

WE ALL REMAIN COMMITTED TO THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF EVERYONE IN THE REGION, MIND AND BODY FOR THE LONG HAUL.

THANK YOU.

SECRETARY KINSLEY WILL NOW HEAR FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY SECRETARY MARY PENNY.

KELLY.

>> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

>> DURING AND AFTER HELENE, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MOVE QUICKLY TO KEEP OUR ENVIRONMENT CLEAN AND SAFE, ESPECIALLY SAFE DRINKING WATER.

WE CONTINUE TO MONITOR DANGEROUS CONDITIONS ALONG RESERVOIR DAMS, ASSESS THIS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO WATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS, MOBILIZE REPAIRS AND PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE DRINKING WATER TREATMENT.

OUR PRIMARY MISSION RIGHT NOW IS TO GET PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS BACK ONLINE SO THAT THEY CAN PROVIDE SAFE, RELIABLE DRINKING WATER FOR EVERYONE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 700 PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS IN THE DISASTER AREA.

THE STORM DEVASTATED MANY COMMUNITIES INCLUDING WASHING AWAY WATER LINES THAT PROVIDE CLEAN DRINKING WATER TO HOMES.

AS OF TODAY.

29 SYSTEMS THAT ARE CLEAR.

THOSE ARE NOT PRODUCING WATER.

8 SYSTEMS ARE WITHOUT POWER.

ON THE GOOD NEWS SIDE, THANKS TO THE HARD WORK OF MANY PEOPLE.

WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF SYSTEMS COME BACK ONLINE.

MORE THAN A MILLION RESIDENTS CAN ACCESS CLEAN DRINKING WATER IN THEIR HOMES.

THOSE NUMBERS CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AS POWER IS RESTORED.

AN EMERGENCY REPAIRS ARE BEING MADE.

OUR STAFF ARE TALKING DIRECTLY TO LOCAL OFFICIALS AND SYSTEM OPERATORS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY NEED AND PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WE'RE COORDINATING ADDITIONAL LAB CAPACITIES SO THAT SYSTEMS GET BACK ONLINE.

THEY CAN SAMPLE AND LIFT THEIR BOIL.

WATER ADVISORIES AND GET SAFE DRINKING WATER TO RESIDENTS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AHEAD AND HOW WE CAN ASSIST WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS WITH ANY GAPS AND THEIR FUNDING NEEDS.

FOR UPDATES ON WATER SYSTEM STATUS.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE STORM DASHBOARD OR THE MOBILE APP UNIT THAT WAS BUT BUILT AND LAUNCHED LAST WEEK.

ON THE SANITATION SIDE, THERE ARE MORE THAN 200 WATER SYSTEMS TOTAL.

20 TREATMENT PLANTS ARE CLOSED DUE TO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.

AND 28 SYSTEMS HAVE NO POWER.

THE GOOD NEWS RIGHT NOW, 18 OF THE 25 MAJOR WASTEWATER FACILITIES AND A NUMBER OF SMALL SYSTEMS REMAIN OPERATIONAL.

WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS HERE AT THE EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER, INCLUDING A PA FEMA AND THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO IDENTIFY AND VISIT SITES THAT ARE UNACCOUNTED FOR, WHETHER THAT'S A WATER PLANT, A WASTEWATER PLANT OR AN INDUSTRIAL FACILITY.

WE WILL PERFORM ASSESSMENTS OF THOSE THAT ARE OFFLINE TO ADDRESS IMPACTS CAUSED BY THE STORM.

THIS IS AN ALL HANDS ON DECK EFFORT.

WE ARE ALSO WORKING TO APPROVE AND COORDINATE DISASTER, DEBRIS SITES AND LANDFILL CAPACITY.

SO CLEANUP EFFORTS CAN MOVE QUICKLY AND RESPONSIBLY.

I WANT TO THANK THE DEQ STAFF WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING IN THE FIELD AND WITH OUR PARTNERS HERE AT THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER SINCE THE ACTIVATION, NEARLY 2 WEEKS AGO AND WORKING ON MONITORING DAMS, ASSESSING INFRASTRUCTURE DURING THE STORM AND SUPPORTING THE RESPONSE SENSE.

WE KNOW THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK TO DO.

DEQ WILL BE HERE TO ASSIST AND SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES AS THEY RECOVER AND REBUILD.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, SECRETARY KERRY KELLY.

WE ALSO HAVE OUR SECRETARY OF DEPARTMENT OF ADULT CORRECTION.

TODD ISSUE WITH US.

WE'LL NOW TAKE QUESTIONS FROM MEDIA IN THE ROOM IF YOU WOULD.

>> APPROACH THE MIC OVER THERE TO THE RIGHT.

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION.

>> HEY GOVERNOR NICK OCHSNER AND WBTV MY QUESTIONS ACTUALLY MOSTLY DOT RELATED.

AND THAT'S KIND OF 2 PRAWN.

THE FIRST AS IT RELATES TO THE I-77 TOLL LANES.

OF COURSE, I-77 SEEN AN INFLUX OF TRAFFIC SINCE YOU CAN'T GET ON.

I-40.

>> I I-77 MOBILITY.

PARTNERS HAVE SAID THEY CAPPED TOLLS, BUT THERE'S NOT MANY SPECIFICS ON WHAT THAT CAP IS BAN AND WE'VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY ANSWERS FROM DOT OR I-77 MOBILITY PARTNERS ON HOW MUCH ADDITIONAL REVENUE I-77 MOBILITY PARTNERS HAS CAPTURED AS A RESULT OF THE SURGE TRAFFIC.

MY SECOND DOT QUESTION RELATES TO PERMITS.

SURE.

IF THAT HAPPENS, YOU PROVIDE AN ANSWER TO THAT POINT.

>> YES, SIR.

THANK YOU, NICK.

WE STARTED GETTING SOME E-MAILS SAY ON TUESDAY OF LAST WEEK, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY ABOUT PEOPLE USING THE MANAGE LANES ON I-77 NORTH ABOUT TOLL RATES BEING MUCH HIGHER THEN PREVIOUSLY AND INTERESTING ENOUGH WHEN WE FIRST STARTED LOOKING AT IT, THE VOLUMES WANT ANY HIGHER THAN PRE STORM AND IT'S STILL THAT WAY.

NOW.

BUT ONCE YOU DRILL DOWN INTO A LITTLE BIT FURTHER VOLUMES ON THE MANAGE LANES ARE MUCH HIGHER.

THEN PRE STORM BUT NOT OVERALL VOLUME.

SO OUR TURNPIKE AUTHORITY HAS WORKED WITH MOBILITY PARTNERS TO CAP THAT MAXIMUM RATE THE WAY THAT OUR THE ALGORITHMS ARE WRITTEN FOR THE MANAGED LANES.

THE RATE GOES UP WHEN THE VOLUME GOES UP.

AND SO WE'VE WORKED WITH HIM TO CAP THOSE RIGHT TO PRIEST OR MAX AND ALSO TO WAIVE THE 45 MILE AN HOUR MINIMUM REQUIREMENT MANAGE LANES.

AND SO THEY HAVE THEM TO IMPLEMENT IT.

THAT I DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS AS FAR AS REVENUE, BUT HAPPY TO HELP YOU WORK WITH MOBILITY PARTNERS TO GET THAT AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE.

I SECOND DOT QUESTION IF YOU DON'T MIND IS AS IT RELATES.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE WERE TRUCKS STAGED.

>> IN HICKORY AND ELSEWHERE FROM THE NATIONAL GUARD TO RESPOND TO THE DISASTER AREA IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE STATE THAT HAD TO SIT THERE OVER THE WEEKEND BECAUSE DOT IMPLEMENTED A PERMIT REQUIREMENT FOR ALL THESE TRUCKS AFTER AN INCIDENT AND IT TOOK UNTIL MONDAY TO START ISSUING THOSE PERMITS OUT.

WONDER IF YOU CAN SHED SOME LIGHT ON WHY THERE IS A DELAY AND WHETHER OR NOT THOSE TRUCKS HAVE NOW BEEN DEPLOYED.

YOU GOT THAT PERMIT ISSUE RESOLVED.

>> YEAH, I CAN'T SPEAK TO THE SPECIFICS OF THAT, BUT I WILL RESPOND TO THE REQUIREMENT OF A PERMIT PERMIT FOR THESE ANYTIME YOU'RE MOVING.

THE OVERSIZE ARE OVERWEIGHT VEHICLE.

WE DO HAVE PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFETY REASONS.

AND WE HAVE A DEDICATED STAFF TO JUST DEAL WITH PERMITS ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

WHETHER YOU'RE OVERWEIGHT VEHICLE OR OVERSIZE.

SO WE DON'T WANT TO PUT A HEAVIER PIECE OF EQUIPMENT ON A BRIDGE.

YOU CAN HANDLE THAT WEIGHT OR TALLER PIECE OF EQUIPMENT UNDER A BRIDGE IS NOT TALL ENOUGH.

SO WE DID HAVE SOME BACKLOG OVER THE WEEKEND AND IT WAS TAKEN AS MUCH AS 16 HOURS TO ISSUE PERMITS.

NOW IT'S TAKEN LESS NOW OR ANYTIME WE GET A PERMIT REQUEST AND FROM THOSE OFFICES.

THANK YOU.

>> MAGGIE NEWLAND, CBS, 17, ONE OF THE MAIN CONCERNS WE'VE HEARD FROM ESPECIALLY THE SMALLER COMMUNITIES IS THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION BOTH IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE STORM AND CONTINUING.

DID ANY OF THESE COUNTIES HAVE SATELLITE PHONES ALREADY IN PLACE?

AND IF IF SO, OR IF NOT, WHAT WILL BE DONE IN THE FUTURE TO ENSURE THAT COMMUNICATION IS A PROBLEM GOING FORWARD.

>> THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION BECAUSE OF THE ALMOST COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR CELLPHONES WAS A HUGE PROBLEM FROM FOR THE GET-GO.

PEOPLE COULDN'T COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER OF LOCAL OFFICIALS COULDN'T COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER.

SO I THINK IT SHOWS US THAT AS WE REBUILD THESE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING IT IN A SMARTER AND MORE RESILIENT WAY BECAUSE PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING WAS DOWN AND OUT AND THEY'RE STILL SOME POCKETS THERE THAT DO NOT HAVE CELL PHONE SERVICES WERE TRYING TO GET IT BACK.

I WILL TURN INTO WILL WRITE TO SEE WHO MIGHT HAVE HAD SATELLITE PHONES THERE FROM THE BEGINNING.

GO AHEAD.

THANKS FOR THE QUESTION.

>> SO MANY OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PARTNERS, MANY OF THE AGENCIES THAT YOU SEE HERE, BOTH AT THE STATE LEVEL AND LOCAL LEVEL.

I THINK WE HAVE A NUMBER OF REDUNDANT COMMUNICATIONS PLATFORMS IN PLAY.

OBVIOUSLY THAT DOES NOT GET TO THE WIDER COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT FROM A PUBLIC SAFETY STANDPOINT, WE DID HAVE SOME REDUNDANT CAPACITY THERE TO BE ABLE TO FACILITATE SOME OF THAT LIFE SAFETY ME DURING THE EVENT, SOME OF OUR SYSTEMS, PARTICULARLY THE ONE MAINTAINED BY THE STATE HIGHWAY PATROL, DID MAINTAIN OPERATION FROM A FROM A RADIO NETWORK.

SO WELL, WE DID SEE SOME DEGRADATION ON OTHER SIDES OF THE COMMUNICATION SPACE.

THERE WERE OTHERS THAT THAT DID WITHSTAND SOME OF THE FORCE OF THIS EVENT.

AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, I THINK AS WE REVIEW THIS, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT WHAT ADDITIONAL CAPACITY OR CAPABILITY MAY NEED TO BE DEPLOYED INTO AREAS OF THE STATE.

CERTAINLY THE TERRAIN AND JUST GEOGRAPHY OF THIS OR THIS REGION OFFERS SOME UNIQUE CHALLENGES.

AND I THINK AS WE LOOK AT AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, REBUILDING NOT JUST THE INFRASTRUCTURE BUT THE DEPLOYMENT OF ADDITIONAL REDUNDANT PLATFORMS.

ALL OF THAT IS CERTAINLY GOING TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

HAVE A QUICK FOR THE NATIONAL GUARD.

CAN >> WE'VE WE'VE SEEN UP EVERYBODY SEEING THE VIDEO OF THE BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER AND THE BLOWING AWAY THE DONATIONS.

I UNDERSTAND THAT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

CAN YOU TALK AT ALL ABOUT THAT AND CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT KIND OF COMMUNICATION IS IN PLACE BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GUARD AND SAY LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR OTHER LOCAL OFFICIALS IN TERMS OF COORDINATING DONATION DROPS OR WHATEVER LANDING MAY HAVE TO HAPPEN.

>> YES, MA'M.

THANKS FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION, HONESTLY, BECAUSE THAT WAS A NORTH CA NATIONAL GUARD HELICOPTER IS UNDER OUR COME AND I'LL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT.

WE OWN IT.

WHAT THE SITUATION WAS WAS THEY WERE BRINGING IN A GENERATOR TO THAT LANDINGS SITE AS THEY APPROACHED.

THEY NOTICED THAT THERE WERE TOO MANY PEOPLE AND TOO MANY TENTS AND COMMODITIES TOO CLOSE TO THE LANDING SITE.

SO THEY PULLED IN POWER TO TAKE BACK OFF TO GO AROUND AND A HELICOPTER.

AND THE ROAD TO WATCH CARS THAT DAMAGE THE CREW IS BEING GROUNDED.

WE ARE IN THE INVESTIGATION.

SAFETY IS OUR NUMBER ONE.

PARAMOUNT WITH OUR FORCES THAT WE HAVE ON THE GROUND.

AND SO WE ARE AGAIN, CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THAT.

WE DO HAVE SOME COMMUNICATION WITH THE LANDING SITES AND THE PEOPLE THAT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK COME OUT OF THESE TO IT'S MATURED OVER TIME.

INITIALLY HAD NO COMMUNICATION.

SO WE WERE JUST MAKING A CALL AND LANDING.

BUT NOW THE LANDING SITES HAVE BEEN MOMENT SHARE AND WE DO HAVE COMMUNICATION WITH EMERGENCY PERSONNEL THAT ARE ON THE GROUND.

AND WE ARE VERY SORRY THAT HAPPENED IN AGAIN.

INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY.

>> WTVD IS THERE ANYONE STILL IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA WHO IS UNACCOUNTED FOR?

AND IF SO, WHAT EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO CONTACT THEM.

AND IF ANY CHALLENGES DO EXIST.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF EVERY DAY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FIND EVERYBODY IN NORTH CAROLINA.

THERE ARE A LOT OF LISTS THAT WERE ACCUMULATED INTO 1, 1, THE AMERICAN RED CROSS OTHER REPORTS I'M GONNA RECOGNIZE WILL RE TO TALK ABOUT HOW ALL OF THAT IS BEING COORDINATED.

BUT WE WON'T REST UNTIL EVERYBODY IS ACCOUNTED FOR.

MANY OF THE COUNTIES HAVE REPORTED THAT PEOPLE ARE ALL ACCOUNTED FOR, BUT WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR SOME RESULTS FROM SOME COUNTIES AS ALL OF THESE ISSUES ARE MERGED, BUT WELL OFF CALLING YOU.

>> THANKS TO QUESTION ANY AT AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, THE REASON OUR FIRST OPERATIONAL PROPERTY REMAINS SEARCH AND RESCUE IS FOR THAT REASON.

I THINK WE ALL THE AGENCIES YOU SEE HERE, THE AGENCIES THAT ARE OPERATING IN THE UC AND DOWN AND FORWARD DEPLOYED IN THE FIELD, WE ARE STILL COMMITTED TO FINDING ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS.

AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, THERE WERE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF AVENUES THAT THAT HAVE BEEN PUT OUT PUBLICLY WHERE FOLKS CAN REPORT LOVED ONES OR FRIENDS OR FAMILY THAT THERE THAT ARE OTHERWISE UNACCOUNTED FOR.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE DOING IS MAKING SURE THAT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS ALL OF THAT INFORMATION THAT'S AVAILABLE.

THAT AS THEY AS I THINK ONE OF THE OTHER BRIEFER SAID THEY ARE THE ONES THAT KNOW THE COMMUNITY.

THEY KNOW THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

THEY KNOW THE AREAS.

THEY KNOW THE PEOPLE AROUND THEM.

AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A QUICK LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH THE BEST INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE.

WE ARE ALSO LEVERAGING SOME CAPABILITIES FROM OUR STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS AS WELL AS OUR FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS TO USE TECHNOLOGY OR OR OTHER SOLUTIONS TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST IN IDENTIFICATION OF WHERE PEOPLE MAY HAVE MOVED TO OUR WHERE THEY MAY BE.

AND SO AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, IT IS IT'S INCREDIBLY FLUID AS THERE ARE A LOT OF GROUPS PROVIDING INFORMATION.

OUR GOAL, I THINK, IS TO PROVIDE THAT ACTIONABLE INFORMATION AS LOCALLY AS POSSIBLE SO THAT IT CAN BE ACTIONS QUICKLY AND WE CAN CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH THEM.

AND THEN ONE QUESTION FOR ADMINISTRATOR, CHRIS.

WELL, YOU SAID THAT YOU ARE HEADING TO FLORIDA LATER TODAY, TOO.

>> ASSIST WITH HURRICANE MILTON.

WHAT FURTHER MESSAGE OF CONFIDENCE CAN YOU GIVE TO THE COMMUNITY IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA THAT FEMA WILL, IN FACT, BE HERE FOR THE LONG HAUL SEEING US.

FLORIDA HAS DONE WITH ITS OWN SET OF CHALLENGES RIGHT NOW.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

THE RESOURCES THAT I'M MOVING INTO FLORIDA RIGHT NOW.

AND LET ME JUST START WITH I HAVE OVER 1000 PEOPLE IN FLORIDA CURRENTLY SUPPORTING THE RESPONSE TO HURRICANE HELENE AS WELL AS PREVIOUS DISASTERS THAT THEY HAVE HAD HURRICANES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE'VE MOVED ADDITIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE PERSONNEL THAT DID NOT IMPACT THE ABILITY TO SUPPORT WITH DIRECTOR WRAY'S CONTINUING TO DO.

AND WE'VE MOVED IN OTHER RESOURCES THAT WEREN'T ENGAGED IN.

SO AGAIN, WE ARE NOT MOVING RESOURCES THAT ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE PRIORITIES THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS SET HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA.

WE ARE MOVING RESOURCES, ESPECIALLY AS THEY'VE BEEN RELEASED FROM PLACES LIKE SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA OR TENNESSEE, WHERE WE HAD THE MEAN INITIALLY.

AND AS THOSE SITUATION STABILIZE AND WE'RE ABLE TO REASSIGN OR MOVE THOSE RESOURCES IN OTHER AREAS.

BUT WE ALSO, AGAIN, THIS IS THE FEDERAL FAMILY AND WE CAN DRAW FROM ALL OF THEM FROM ACROSS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FROM ACROSS THE UNITED STATES TO MOVE INTO FLORIDA.

AND SO I CAN GUARANTEE THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH STAFF TO SUPPORT THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE NEEDS THAT ARE GOING TO BE NEEDED FOR HURRICANE MILTON AS WELL AS CONTINUE THE EFFORTS THAT WE ARE PROVIDING HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA.

>> HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE MISSING RIGHT NOW THAT, YOU KNOW, OFF?

>> WELL, TURN THAT OVER TO YOU.

SO WE'RE CERTAINLY HAPPY TO FOLLOW UP WITH YOU OFTEN DON'T HAVE THE CURRENT NUMBER IN FRONT OF ME.

AGAIN, AS I SAID, I THINK THIS IS PART OF THE PART OF ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS THERE ARE MULTIPLE DIFFERENT DATA SETS OUT THERE.

AGAIN, WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO THOSE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WORKING WITH OUR CHIEF CENTER SHERIFFS 2 TO ADJUDICATE THAT QUICKLY TO BE ABLE TO GIVE FAMILIES THAT ARE WAITING SOME SOME COMFORT OR SOME SOME SORT OF OF A RESOLUTION OF THE MATTER.

AND SO BECAUSE REALLY FOLLOWED WITH THE OFTEN ON KIND OF WHAT ESTIMATES LOOK LIKE.

BUT AGAIN, RIGHT NOW, I THINK THE BIG THING IS THIS TEAM HERE, THE TEAM OPERATING IN THERE AND FORWARD ARE COMMITTED TO TO CONTINUING THAT WORK TO SUPPORT TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

>> AND THEN >> THERE'S A LOT OF FRUSTRATION RIGHT NOW ABOUT.

THINKING THEY'RE NOT SEEING GOVERNMENT UNLESS THE NORTH CAROLINA, THE KING AND I SEE NATIONAL GUARD OR FEMA OR WHOEVER.

COULD YOU GUYS MAYBE WALK ME THROUGH SOME OF THE CADENCE OF HOW YOU'RE GETTING INTO THESE MORE RURAL COMMUNITIES MAY BE HOW OFTEN YOU'RE THERE.

WHAT?

WHAT DESPITE AND IT COULD BE DIFFERENT AND EVERY INSTANCE.

BUT SHORT OF WHAT THE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

>> YEAH, I'M GONNA TURN THAT OVER.

THAT WILL IN A MINUTE BUT OUT.

BUT I'LL TELL YOU THIS, THIS WAS AN UNPRECEDENTED DISASTER.

>> OVER A VERY WIDE AREA.

IN VERY RUGGED.

HER REIGN WITH VERY MANY DIFFERENT.

>> PLACES THAT ARE VERY HARD TO GET TO.

I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE'S FRUSTRATION AND HAVE TALKED TO MANY PEOPLE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, MYSELF.

I WILL TELL YOU THIS.

WE WANT TO GO WHERE ANYBODY NEEDS HELP.

SO IF SOMEONE HAS REPORTED TO YOU THAT THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN HELP, LET US KNOW.

AND WE WILL GET THERE IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THE ISSUE IS THAT.

NATIONAL GUARD, FEMA, LOCAL RESPONDERS, STATE RESPONDERS ARE ALL THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO WILL TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CADENCE OF WHAT HAPPENS.

SO THANKS FOR THE QUESTION.

AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THE REASON WE'VE COVERED SOME OF THE MATERIAL THAT WE'VE COVERED IN SOME OF THE BRIEFING POINTS IS SO FOLKS UNDERSTAND.

>> THE NUMBER OF PERSONNEL FROM STATE AGENCIES THAT ARE IN THE AREA OF IMPACT RIGHT NOW.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S 33 COUNTIES THAT ARE IN OUR WESTERN REGION.

27 OF THEM ARE IN THE DECLARED AREA FOR THIS EVENT.

SO THE ELEVATION AND THE GEOGRAPHIC SPAN MILES.

THAT SQUARE MILES THAT THAT COVERS IS SIGNIFICANT.

BUT WE CAN GO DOWN THE LINE HERE AND TALK ABOUT THE HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS IN SOME CASES OF PERSONNEL THAT ARE OPERATING IN THAT AREA.

AND AGAIN, WE CAN CERTAINLY DRILL DOWN INTO THOSE DETAILS INTO INTO WHO'S WHERE?

BUT I THINK ONE THING THE GOVERNOR SAID IS IMPORTANT.

I THINK WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES, PERIOD.

AND WE USE LIAISONS THAT ARE EMBEDDED WITH THEM FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT AGENCIES TO DETERMINE WHAT THAT DEMAND SIGNAL IS AND WHAT THESE COMMUNITY NEEDS ARE TO BE ABLE TO GET WHATEVER THE RESOURCES INTO THAT REGION.

AND SO YOU HAVE A LIAISON OFFICERS FROM MANY OF THE AGENCIES YOU SEE HERE AND SOME AGENCIES YOU DON'T APPEAR THAT ARE IN THOSE SEAS THAT ARE IN THOSE COUNTIES TODAY TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE AGENCIES WORKING TIRELESSLY LOCALLY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO GET HAPPY TO FOLLOW UP WITH THE FULL SCOPE OF SPECIFICS OF NUMBER OF AGENCY NUMBER OF PERSONNEL AND WHERE BUT BETWEEN PERSONNEL BETWEEN TEAMS FROM OUT OF STATE, BETWEEN THE THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF POUNDS THAT YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT OF OF COMMODITIES AND EQUIPMENT MOVED IN AGAIN, WE ARE SURGING.

SUPPORT INTO WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

BUT I THINK HERE'S THE OTHER THING, I THINK AND I THINK ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT THIS EVENT IS, I THINK, IS WHAT'S OFTEN OVERLOOKED.

THE FACT THAT THERE ARE CHURCHES AND GROUPS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES RIGHT NOW DOING INCREDIBLE WORK, TAKING CARE OF THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.

THOSE ARE GROUPS THAT WE CAN COME ALONGSIDE AND SUPPORT.

THESE ARE GROUPS THAT THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN CAN CAN COME ALONGSIDE AND SUPPORT.

AND SO I THINK, AGAIN, IT'S A TERM WE USE OF WHOLE OF COMMUNITY.

BUT I THINK THIS TRULY IS AN EXAMPLE OF IT TO TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO AN EVENT OF THIS MAGNITUDE AND SCOPE.

IT TRULY IS GOING TO TAKE THAT PARTNERSHIP.

IT'S NOT A PUBLIC SECTOR FUNCTION ALONE.

IT'S PRIVATE SECTOR NONPROFITS, VOLUNTEER AGENCIES, CHURCHES, OTHER OTHER HOUSES OF WORSHIP.

IT TAKES NEIGHBORS HELPING EACH OTHER.

AND I THINK THAT TO ME IS ONE OF THE TAKEAWAYS FROM FROM THIS EVENT.

THAT'S WHAT WE'VE TRIED TO REINFORCE OUR TEAM IS WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN PUBLICLY IS COMMUNITIES TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER AND MEETING THE NEEDS AND OUR JOB IS TO SUPPORT THAT THAT WORK.

AND THE MORE SECRETARY KELLY, HOW MANY INDUSTRIAL SITES ARE HAVE YOU GUYS NOT BEEN TOO?

YEAH.

>> SO THERE ARE SEVERAL THAT WE HAVEN'T BEEN TO YET.

WE'RE DEPLOYED INTO THE FIELD WHEN THE ROADS ARE CLEARED AND WHERE ABLE TO GET OUT THERE.

WE'RE STARTING TO MAKE THOSE ASSESSMENTS WERE DOING DEEPER ASSESSMENTS.

OUR PRIORITY HAS BEEN WATER AND WASTEWATER.

SO AS WE'RE GETTING REQUESTS AND FROM INDUSTRIAL SITES, WE ARE RESPONDING TO THOSE IN US AND SCENE WHERE THEIR WASTEWATER WOULD NORMALLY GO.

IF THEY NEED AN ALTERNATIVE WHERE TASKING THAT OUT AS WELL.

THANKS.

>> YES, QUESTION FROM SOMEONE CALLING IN.

>> BRIAN ANDERSON, WITH ANDERSON ALERTS.

GREAT CAUSE.

CAN YOU GUYS HEAR ME?

OKAY.

>> PERFECT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH OF A BIT.

UNDER THE WEATHER SIDE PRE SHE ALSO QUESTIONS REMOTELY FOR US.

I KNOW EVERYONE STANDING UP THERE CARES DEEPLY ABOUT THE PEOPLE IMPACTED BY THE HURRICANE.

AND AND THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A HERCULEAN EFFORT ON THE GROUND RIGHT NOW.

BUT I JUST HEARD A GREAT DEAL OF FRUSTRATION FROM FOLKS WHO'S UP ABANDONED IN THE FIRST DAYS OF THIS TRAGEDY.

AND IN 12 DAYS LATER ARE STILL CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE UNACCOUNTED FOR.

I KNOW A COUPLE OTHER FOLKS HEADED ASKED A SIMILAR QUESTION.

SO I'M JUST HOPING MAYBE YOU CAN SHARE SOME SOME LIGHT ONTO IT.

CAN YOU SHARE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL UNACCOUNTED FOR?

HOW MANY NORTH CAROLINIANS ARE DEAD AND HOW MANY OF THESE DEATHS WERE WEATHER-RELATED VERSUS ONES DUE TO A LACK OF FOOD OR WATER OR OTHER NECESSITIES.

I KNOW SOMEONE HAD SAID THERE'S THERE'S AN EFFORT TO SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SO I'M JUST HOPING SOMEONE MIGHT BE ABLE TO SHARE THAT PUBLICLY HERE TODAY AS WELL.

>> WITH THEIR 88 PEOPLE IN NORTH CAROLINA WHO ARE CONFIRMED DECEASED AT THIS TIME.

SECRETARY KINSLEY HAS MADE A REPORT.

I'M GONNA LET YOU GIVE THAT REPORT AGAIN IF YOU CAN RIGHT NOW ON THAT ISSUE.

>> THANKS, BRIAN.

AS OF RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE 88 STORM-RELATED FATALITIES IN NORTH CAROLINA.

WE HAVE 6 FATALITY TEAMS THAT ARE OUT SYSTEMATICALLY GOING THROUGH THE REGION, TOO IDENTIFY REMAINS AND TO PROCESS THEM.

WE WILL ALWAYS PRIORITIZE IDENTIFICATION AND QUICK COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO UPDATE THAT NUMBER EVERY DAY.

>> AND THERE ARE, AS WE SAID EARLIER, THERE ARE MANY LISTS THAT HAVE BEEN ACCUMULATED OF PEOPLE REPORTING PEOPLE THAT THEY COULDN'T GET IN TOUCH WITH.

THE BIGGEST ISSUE WE HAVE NOW IS THAT MOST OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE NOW GOTTEN IN TOUCH WITH PEOPLE WHO MADE THE REPORT.

WE HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO CLOSE THE LOOP ON THAT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS IN PLACE.

SO THERE IS WORK GOING ON IN EVERY SINGLE COMMUNITY.

AND I KNOW I SECRETARY BUFFALO HAS BEEN WORKING WITH EVERY COUNTY.

MANY COUNTIES HAVE REPORTED NONE UNACCOUNTED FOR.

I THINK THAT NUMBER'S GOING TO BE VERY LOW BUT WERE HESITANT TO GIVE YOU A NUMBER RIGHT NOW REGARDING THAT BECAUSE MOST OF THAT IS STILL IN THE WORKS.

BUT WE'RE LOOKING EVERY DAY AND MAKING SURE WE'RE CHECKING ON EVERYBODY DOOR TO DOOR.

TALKING TO PEOPLE IN COMMUNITIES TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY PERSON IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA IS ACCOUNTED FOR.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.

>> THE NEXT QUESTION AND THE LAST QUESTION, ONLINE IS FROM KATY FOLLOW-UP ACTION IS NEWS.

KATY PLEASE GO AHEAD?

>> GOOD AFTERNOON.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY CALL.

I FULLY UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THAT.

THE FOCUS RIGHT NOW IS ON SEARCH AND RESCUE AND RESTORATION OF A SENSE ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

BUT I'M ALSO CURIOUS ABOUT THE AID TO SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, WHO IT HELPS US STAY IN THE AREA'S ECONOMY.

ASIDE FROM LOANS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

WHAT FLORIDA ASSISTANCE IS GOING TO BE PROVIDED THE STATE LEVEL FOR THOSE BUSINESSES, ANYTHING IN THE FORMS OF LIKE GRANTS OR ANY SORT OF COVID TYPE RELIEF WE CAN EXPECT.

>> BECAUSE THIS DESTRUCTION WAS SO MASSIVE.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE CREATIVE ABOUT THE RELIEF THAT WE GIVE WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND I BELIEVE THAT'S GOING TO MEAN DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO SMALL BUSINESSES TO HELP THEM RECOVER.

MANY OF THEM RIGHT NOW ARE WIPED OUT.

IT WILL BE A WHILE BEFORE THEY CAN REBUILD AND REOPEN.

AND MANY OF THEM ARE GOING TO WANT TO TAKE THE CHANCE ON A LOAN EVEN ON REALLY GOOD TERMS BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE LOOKS LIKE FOR THEM.

SO IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT WE RESTORE WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA IN MAKE SURE THAT WE TO HELP DEVELOP THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY, WHICH IS SMALL BUSINESSES.

THE LEGISLATURE, AND WE NEED TO BE CREATIVE WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS AS WELL.

OUGHT TO PROVIDE SOME MORE ASSISTANCE TO SMALL BUSINESSES RATHER THAN JUST LOANS.

WE ALSO NEED GREATER UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES WHO NO LONGER HAVE JOBS BECAUSE WE WANT TO KEEP THEM IN THE AREA AND TO KEEP THEM AVAILABLE FOR WHEN NEW WITH WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA COMES BACK.

I I'VE TALKED TO A NUMBER OF SMALL BUSINESSES WHO ARE.

SO DEEPLY SADDENED THAT THEY PUT SO MUCH INTO THESE BUSINESSES AND THEY HAVE EMPLOYEES WHO DEPEND ON THEM.

SO I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THAT AND I'M READY TO WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE WITH CONGRESS WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BE RE BILL WESTERN, NORTH CAROLINA AND THAT WE DO IT WITH SMALL BUSINESSES BEING AT THE FRONT FOREFRONT OF THIS EFFORT OUTSIDE OF ALL OF THE HUMANITARIAN EFFORT THAT WE'RE DOING THAT.

THAT'S THE END OF THE QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.