State Emergency Operations Team Responding as Hurricane Arthur Arrives at North Carolina Coast

Press Release

The State Emergency Response Team is responding to Hurricane Arthur as it passes near and on the North Carolina coast and Outer Banks tonight as a Category 2 hurricane.

"The track of Hurricane Arthur has moved closer to our coast, which brings heightened concerns for flooding and storm surge in our sounds and rivers," Governor McCrory said. "Residents and visitors that are in path of the hurricane should remain indoors and stay tuned to their local media for weather updates."

Governor Pat McCrory gives an update on the state's emergency operations during the arrival of Hurricane Arthur. North Carolina Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry looks on.

North Carolina's coastal areas are seeing periods of heavy rains and tropical storm force winds late Thursday and into Friday from Hurricane Arthur. Portions of the Outer Banks and the coast may experience periods of hurricane force winds as the storm passes. Coastal flooding, moderate storm surge, dangerous rip currents, heavy surf and moderate beach erosion are also expected. A tornado watch has been issued for much of eastern North Carolina until 2 a.m. Friday.

"We are closely monitoring the track of the storm and prepositioning search and rescue personnel, National Guardsmen and equipment in areas where we expect the greatest impact," said Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry. "Our priority is to provide for the safety of all first responders and the general public for the duration of the event."

Eleven counties have declared a State of Emergency: Beaufort, Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender and Tyrrell. Three shelters in Beaufort County, two shelters in Carteret County, four shelters in Craven County, three shelters in Onslow County, and one each in Pamlico and Pender counties are open for residents and visitors who need to evacuate. As of 8p.m., more than 6,400 customers are reported to be without power.

The North Carolina Emergency Operations Center (EOC) continues to monitor the situation and will stay activated with additional personnel on site.

The State Emergency Response Team is ready to assist as needed. SERT partners include representatives from the departments of Public Safety, Transportation, Health and Human Services and Agriculture, as well as the State Wildlife Division, Office of Emergency Medical Services, the Civil Air Patrol, the N.C. National Guard, the State Highway Patrol, Adult Correction, Swift Water Rescue teams and private sector partners.

The North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) has soldiers on standby ready to provide direct assistance to state emergency managers, the highway patrol and first responders. Guardsmen are staged at the North Carolina National Guard armory in Kinston and will deploy if required. NCNG has high water vehicles, helicopters, and can provide power generation, medical, communication and shelter support as well as transport supplies if needed.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol has placed all essential personnel on stand-by and is ready for deployment at a moment's notice. Troopers will be monitoring all major highways and will be assisting the Department of Transportation, county Emergency Management officials and local partners.

The N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) continues to monitor conditions and has equipment and crews in place along the North Carolina coast ready to respond to Hurricane Arthur.

"Right now our crews are in place and ready to deploy once conditions allow for recovery efforts to begin," Secretary Tony Tata said. "I encourage people to stay off of the roads throughout the duration of the storm and use caution once it has cleared. We will work to open the roads and resume ferry operations as quickly as possible."

The SERT's Joint Information Center (JIC) will coordinate the release of information regarding state storm response and recovery effort in the aftermath of Hurricane Arthur.

For more information about how to get ready for a hurricane and what to do during or after a storm, go to ReadyNC.org. You can also download the free ReadyNC app -- available for both iPhone and Droid -- which has real time weather, traffic and shelter information.

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