North Carolina Governor Josh Stein was on the ground in Alamance and Orange Counties yesterday, taking stock of the havoc wrought by Tropical Storm Chantal, expressing sympathy for the storm's victims and extending a heartfelt thanks to the emergency personnel who've been toiling on the front lines. According to a statement from the Governor's Office, his visit included a stop at the critical Lake Michael Dam, where water levels, having surged on Sunday, nearly spurred a catastrophic breach; residents fortunately had been preemptively evacuated.
"Our hearts go out to the families who lost a loved one during the storm. I am grateful to the local and state emergency responders who worked quickly to evacuate people and keep so many people safe," Governor Stein told gathered media, while assurances were made that the state's support for the recovery efforts would continue unabated, Local States of Emergency remain in Alamance, Moore, Orange, and Person Counties; two emergency operations centers are in full swing and crews are restoring utilities, clearing debris, and diligently working on road repairs, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has already reopened several major arteries, including a stretch of I-40/85 in Alamance County, and yet, sixty-five roads sit shuttered in the wake of Chantal.
Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins, grappling with a veritable logistical nightmare, noted the exceptional nature of the floodwaters, telling press, "This historic weather event caused flooding like we haven’t seen in several decades in the central part of the state," he added a promise that road assessments and reopenings would progress with haste as conditions improved and worker safety could be ensured. Meanwhile, North Carolina Emergency Management's Will Ray emphasized the ongoing collaboration between state and local authorities, advising all residents to remain vigilant, maintain emergency supplies, and heed weather alerts, as per the Governor's Office.
North Carolinians are urged to stay updated by following local government and news outlets for the latest on repairs and road closures many emergency management agencies offer sign-ups for public notifications that can be crucial in times of crisis, for real-time road conditions, the NCDOT's website and their social media channels are indispensable resources.
