Josh Stein, Governor | Office of the Governor of North Carolina
Josh Stein, Governor | Office of the Governor of North Carolina
Today, Governor Josh Stein and emergency officials provided updates on severe weather affecting North Carolina. Residents are being urged to prepare for severe thunderstorms, heavy downpours, isolated tornadoes, and damaging wind gusts as the storm moves eastward.
Governor Stein stated, “Our State Emergency Response Team is in contact with its partners across the state and ready to respond with any tool at its disposal to keep North Carolinians safe through this severe weather.” He advised residents to listen to local weather forecasts, enable emergency alerts on their cell phones, and have a plan to take immediate cover if a severe weather warning for tornadoes is issued.
Preparedness tips include going inside a sturdy structure away from windows during severe weather, securing outdoor items that could become airborne in gusty winds, ensuring cell phones are charged with enabled emergency alerts, and having a plan to take cover if necessary. It was emphasized that a watch indicates potential severe weather conditions while a warning means hazardous conditions are imminent.
A tornado watch has been issued for 24 counties across the Triangle and surrounding areas until 1:00 pm. Structural damages from winds have been reported in Union County, and state emergency management officials are in contact with local authorities to provide assistance.
A Wind Advisory is currently in effect for much of North Carolina through Wednesday evening. The Outer Banks will remain under advisory until 10:00 p.m. Wednesday. A High Wind Warning is also in place for higher elevations across portions of the mountains where wind gusts up to 70 mph are expected.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has expanded the Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) for severe storms slightly westward to include western portions of central North Carolina. This risk remains in place for the eastern half of the state while a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) is noted across the foothills. Damaging wind gusts up to 75 mph and tornadoes are expected primarily along and east of the US-1 corridor Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Additionally, a Coastal Flood Advisory is active through 1:00 a.m. Thursday for Ocracoke & Hatteras Islands as well as the northern Outer Banks due to expected minor soundside coastal flooding near shorelines and tidal waterways.
Residents can visit www.readync.gov for more information on preparedness measures.
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