RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina is under a state of emergency due to the impending impacts of Hurricane Helene, Gov. Roy Cooper announced Wednesday.
Helene strengthened to hurricane status on Wednesday morning as it barrels toward Florida with sustained winds of 80 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
“Helene threatens heavy rain, flash flooding, landslides, and damaging winds to the mountains and Piedmont areas of our state,” said Governor Cooper. “Now is the time for North Carolinians to prepare, make sure emergency kits are up-to-date and pay attention to the weather alerts in your area.”
Watch: Myles' wednesday forecast
After it passes the Yucatan Peninsula, Helene is expected to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane by late Thursday, when it's expected to come ashore along Florida's Gulf Coast.
Portions of western and central North Carolina are expected to feel the most impact from the storm, where flash flooding, landslides, damaging debris, slope failures, and riverine flooding is possible.
A state of emergency allows officials to easily and quickly access fuel and other critical supplies needed during a storm. It also triggers price-gouging rules to control costs for items people need like water, gas, generators, etc.
The governor's office offered the following tips for residents to prepare.
- Have multiple ways to receive emergency information, including watches and warnings. Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on your cell phone and monitor local new outlets and the National Weather Service.
- Ensure that you have multiple ways to receive warnings, especially with the potential for severe storms to be moving through during nighttime hours.
- Have an emergency plan. Know where you would go if you need to evacuate, especially if you live in a flood prone area.
- Gather emergency supplies or refresh your emergency kit. Visit ReadyNC.gov for info on how to build an emergency kit.
- Never drive through flooded roadways or around barricades. Turn around. Don’t drown.
- Make sure you know where to seek shelter if a tornado warning is issued for your area.
- Check to see if your local emergency management office offers emergency alert services for its residents. You can visit your county government website for more information.
- Avoid unnecessary travel. If you do not need to drive, stay home. You can find current roadway conditions by visiting DriveNC.Gov.
