GOV. EASLEY DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR TROPICAL STORM HANNA AND HURRICANE IKE
Activates Governor's Emergency Bilingual Hotline for Citizen Calls 

 RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today declared a State of Emergency in advance of Tropical Storm Hanna's approach to the North Carolina coast this weekend and because Hurricane Ike is likely to threaten the state next week. Easley issued Executive Orders 144 and 145 directing state and local agencies to cooperate in implementing the North Carolina Emergency Operations Plan. He also announced the activation of the Governor's Emergency Bilingual Hotline beginning Friday at 10 a.m.

“It now appears Hanna will be a Category 1 hurricane when it hits the North Carolina coast early Saturday morning,” said Easley. “Since the exact path is uncertain, everyone who lives in the coastal counties needs to be ready. If you do not have your emergency supplies kit together and your emergency plan in place, there is no time to wait. Please act now.”

At 11 a.m. the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch from Ocracoke Inlet to Edisto Beach, S.C. A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible in that area in the next 36 hours. Forecasters say areas of North Carolina east of I-95 can expect winds up to 80 miles per hour and 3-5 inches of rain from Hanna, enough to cause flooding of low lying areas. Easley warned residents that most deaths in tropical storms and hurricanes occur after the event when people drive or walk into flood waters.

“No one should drive onto a flooded road or through floodwaters,” said Easley. “You never know if the road has been washed away or how fast the water is really moving. It takes less than a foot of water to float a car and just inches to knock a person off their feet.”

On Wednesday, Easley activated up to 270 members of the National Guard and 12 of the state's 25 Swift Water Rescue Teams for the central and eastern portions of the state. In addition, 144 Highway Patrol troopers are on standby for immediate deployment. The State Emergency Response Team is coordinating state agency response and support to the counties. Coastal county officials are meeting today to determine what areas they will need to evacuate to prevent people from being at risk.

Although Hanna is expected to be a minimal hurricane, it is being following by Hurricane Ike, which is already a Category 4 storm and is predicted to approach the eastern U.S. coast next week as at least a Category 3. North Carolina's State Emergency Response Team is already tracking Ike and making plans in case that storm also affects the state.

The Governor's Emergency Bilingual Hotline will begin 24-hour operations at 10:00 a.m. Friday. The hotline will provide updated weather information, shelter locations, feeding sites, highway closings, etc. After the event, the hotline will serve as a referral line for people in need of help. Citizens may call toll-free 1-888-835-9966 or TTY 1-877-877-1765.

Easley continued to urge every citizen to have an emergency plan and emergency kit ready, stressing that those who have plans and supplies will fare better during any emergency than those who do not. Information about planning for emergencies in North Carolina is available in English at www.readync.org and in Spanish at www.listonc.org. Information for the deaf and hard of hearing also is available on www.readync.org.