Friday, February 14, 2025

Cooper declares state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida near Cayo Costa and Fort Myers Wednesday, with sustained winds of 150 miles per hour. It’s projected to move out to sea and make landfall again somewhere along the Georgia and South Carolina border before skirting up and reaching the North Carolina coast by Friday.

Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency Wednesday, activating the state’s emergency operations plan and 80 Coast Guard members to assist as need be.

The executive order issues a waiver of transportation rules, such as weight requirements, to help with relief efforts in power restoration and debris removal. It also allows for the carrying of fuel and other supplies to first responders and protects consumers against price gouging. 

Cooper said it will aid the agriculture industry as well.

“A State of Emergency is needed now so that farmers and those preparing for the storm can more quickly get ready for the heavy rain that is likely to fall in much of our state,” Cooper said in a press release. They will be allowed to clear crops and move livestock out of the storm’s path.

Heavy rainfall, possible flooding in low-lying areas and tornadoes can be expected Friday and Saturday from the storm’s remnants. North Carolina is forecast to receive 2 to 5 inches late this week, increasing to 5 to 7 inches or more along the coast and Blue Ridge Escarpment, depending on the hurricane’s track.

Weather preparation, as well as information on power outages, can be accessed here as Ian nears.


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Shea Carver
Shea Carver
Shea Carver is the editor in chief at Port City Daily. A UNCW alumna, Shea worked in the print media business in Wilmington for 22 years before joining the PCD team in October 2020. She specializes in arts coverage — music, film, literature, theatre — the dining scene, and can often be tapped on where to go, what to do and who to see in Wilmington. When she isn’t hanging with her pup, Shadow Wolf, tending the garden or spinning vinyl, she’s attending concerts and live theater.

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