GREENSBORO, N.C. — North Carolina is in a State of Emergency with Tropical Storm Debby coming our way. Governor Roy Cooper's declaration activates the State Emergency Operations Plan which includes:
*Lifts some trucking requirements to make sure essential supplies like food, fuel, and medicines can get to where they need to go.
*Outlaws price gouging for needed supplies.
*Opens up the possibility of state reimbursement for city and county crews working during that time.
"State of Emergency says that, hey, we know we're going to be responding to this and this kind of delineates that time that we're responding to the incident. We are devoting staff time, we're devoting resources," said Steven Grose, Emergency Management Director, Guilford County.
Grose says state and local emergency declarations allow lawmakers to enact curfews if necessary and enable them to be ready for life-saving measures. But he says the declaration also means there are three things for us to do:
Have a plan for your family
"Let's have a plan for your family, knowing your family, knowing your needs, whether it's medication, power-dependent medical needs, or alternative transportation. Have a plan if you can't safely be in your home," said Grose.
Make sure you can receive weather alerts.
Ideally, you need to have more than one way to receive weather alerts. The phone, the radio, the TV. Make sure your alerts are enabled and the sound is up.
Be prepared with food and water.
"We like to encourage folks to have some disaster supplies on hand. Non-perishable foods, things like that will meet your family's needs," said Grose.
He says preparedness starts at home and that every disaster starts and ends locally.