North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has issued a State of Emergency in response to Tropical Storm Fred, which caused severe flood in the western part of the state.
Approximately 30 people are currently in missing in Haywood County and water systems in Canton and Clyde have been impacted.
Areas in western North Carolina saw as much as a foot of rain over the last three days. More than 98 people have already been rescued from floodwaters in western counties, according to the governor’s office.
North Carolina Emergency Management has deployed water rescue teams, while National Guard and Highway Patrol helicopters are conducing searches.
“This state of emergency will allow our first responders to get into our affected communities quickly to save lives, restore power, remove debris and bring supplies,” said Gov. Cooper.
Buncombe County, home to the city of Asheville, declared a State of Emergency after receiving reports of flooded roads, downed trees and downed power lines.
In Hawyood County, the school system is reporting thousands of dollars in damage at multiple facilities. A superintendent is inquiring for FEMA disaster declaration, according to WLOS 13.
Fred is responsible for at least one death so far. A man in Florida was killed after he lost control of his car trying to drive through floodwater the night of Aug. 16. The car overturned into a water-filled ditch, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.
The National Weather Services reported more than a dozen tornadoes across Georgia and the Carolinas on Aug. 17, leading to downed trees, damaged property and localized flooding.
Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Flood North Carolina
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