State Begins
Recovery Operations, Damage Assessments.
Raleigh, N.C. The State Emergency Response Team continues to respond to resource requests and is transitioning into recovery operations from Hurricane Arthur, which has exited North Carolina waters and continues to make its waynorth. According to the National Hurricane Center, Arthur is the earliest hurricane to hit North Carolina since records began in 1851. The previous record was July 11, 1901.
"I want to thank our citizens and visitors for heeding our
warnings and evacuating when asked, as well as the news media for disseminating
weather and life-saving safety information throughout the storm," Governor
Pat McCrory said. "Although
Hurricane Arthur made landfall near Morehead City as a category two hurricane,
there are minimal reports of damage. Our teams have transitioned into the
recovery phase and have begun damage assessments in the hardest hit areas."
Hurricane Arthur cleared North Carolina waters this morning yet
lingering effects could still be felt along the coast throughout the day.
Tropical force winds are expected to cease by late morning, with the
potential for gusts extending into the evening hours. The possibility for heavy
rainfall remains through the morning and should clear by the afternoon.
Moderate storm surge effects continue in the sounds and rivers, and
dangerous rip currents remain a threat throughout the day.
"Although preliminary reports are very positive, it is going to
take us a few days to fully comprehend the full impact of Hurricane Arthur,"
Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry said. "We are working with
local officials to conduct damage assessments and will continue to support
counties with resource requests and recovery efforts."
The North Carolina Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains
activated with personnel responding to county resource requests and deploying
teams to conduct damage assessments. The State Emergency Response Team
will continue to work with its federal, state and local partners including
FEMA, Red Cross, Baptist Men, utilities and private sector partners.
No casualties have been reported. As of 9 a.m., more than
44,000 customers are reported to be without power in the coastal counties, with
the majority of customers impacted in Carteret County. Ocracoke Island is
also without power. A generator and communications package will be taken
by ferry to the island this afternoon.
Brunswick, Tyrrell, New Hanover, Dare, Beaufort, Carteret, Craven,
Currituck, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender and Hyde counties are under a State of
Emergency. Five shelters remain open throughout Beaufort, Carteret, Dare
and Pamlico counties.
N.C. Department of Transportation crews have been out on the roads
this morning assessing damage from the storm. Preliminary reports indicate that
much of the damage has been contained to the Outer Banks, particularly in the
area of Hatteras Island. N.C. 12 is currently closed from the Bonner Bridge
south to Ocracoke due to sound-side flooding, sand on the road and numerous
downed power poles. Crews will assess the area today as soon as the water
recedes to determine the extent of the damage. Crews will additionally inspect
the Bonner Bridge, the only link to Hatteras Island, as soon as conditions are
stable enough to conduct sonar testing on the integrity of the bridge.
"We urge people to stay off the road as much as possible in
the impacted areas and allow our crews to complete the work necessary to reopen
the road and get our residents and visitors back to Hatteras Island as quickly
as possible," said Secretary Tony Tata.
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