RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today announced he is activating the N.C. National Guard and other state resources to be ready to respond to Tropical Storm Hanna, which is expected to affect the state on Friday and Saturday. Up to 270 members of the Guard will be in place by Friday, 144 Highway Patrol troopers are on standby for immediate deployment, and 12 of the state’s 25 Swift Water Rescue Teams will be activated in the central and eastern portions of the state. Easley activated the State Emergency Response Team at 7:00 a.m. today to make sure all state personnel and resources are ready for wherever Hanna decides to go.
“The storm’s forecast is still uncertain, but we are using this time to get prepared. Having our National Guard on duty and rescue teams and troopers in place means we will be able to get help quickly to those who need it,” said Easley. “I cannot stress enough how important it is for our residents throughout the state to have their family emergency kit including at least three days of food, funds, fuel and clothes ready. Preparation saves lives and makes recovery go more smoothly.”
Hanna is still a tropical storm today but is expected to make a northerly turn and become a hurricane sometime Thursday. The latest forecast track has landfall occurring in South Carolina with the storm moving quickly into eastern North Carolina. However, forecasters warn that until the storm makes its turn, gets stronger and speeds up, it is hard to say exactly where it will go. In addition, Tropical Storms Ike and Josephine are also in the Atlantic. Ike may affect the U.S. coast by late next week; Josephine is likely a couple of weeks away.
County emergency management agencies are also watching the storm and will determine what evacuations or shelters are needed in their counties as the storm moves closer.
The state has put its various other specially trained storm teams on alert. They include the remaining 13 Swift Water Rescue Teams, 11 Urban Search and Rescue Teams, 36 Wilderness Search and Rescue Teams, 34 State Medical Assistance Teams, seven Public Health Regional Surveillance Teams, and seven Regional Response Teams for hazardous materials. The state emergency warehouse already has food on hand to feed 50,000 people for a day-and-a-half and water for 50,000 people for one day. The state has pre-arranged contracts in place for additional resources including food, water, ice, generators and other emergency needs.
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. An emergency preparedness kit should include enough of the following to last a family for at least 3-5 days:
- Water - 1 gallon per person per day (a week's supply of water is preferable)
- Water purification kit or bleach
- First aid kit and first aid book
- Pre-cooked, non-perishable foods, such as canned meats, granola bars, instant soup & cereals
- Baby supplies: formula, bottle, pacifier, soap, baby powder, clothing, blankets, baby wipes, disposable diapers, canned food and juices
- Non-electric can opener
- Anti-bacterial hand wipes or gel
- Blanket or sleeping bag per person
- Portable radio or portable TV and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Essential medications
- Extra pair of eyeglasses
- Extra house and car keys
- Fire extinguisher - ABC-type
- Food, water, leash and carrier for pets
- Cash and change
- Seasonal change of clothing, including sturdy shoes
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.
