Flooding a Risk for Charlotte if Hurricane Florence Stalls Inland
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Emergency management officials say flooding is a risk for the Charlotte area if Hurricane Florence stalls inland.
“You could have people trapped, you could have fires in the weather,” says CFD Battalion Chief Rob Cannon.
“We’re checking out equipment, making sure our resources are ready,” he says.
Swift-water rescue teams will be on stand-by.Β Crews from Charlotte could be deployed to other areas as needed.
They’re asking neighbors to clear storm drains to minimize any flooding impact.
High winds from Florence are also a threat.
“Now is the time to review your emergency plans. Not later when this storm is on our doorstep,” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.He has ordered evacuations along the coast and has asked President Trump for a disaster declaration.
“North Carolina is taking Hurricane Florence seriously. And you should too. Get ready now,” Cooper said.
Mandatory evacuations begin tomorrow in eight counties along the South Carolina coast.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has ordered lanes on I-26 reversed between Charleston and Columbia and on Highway 501 heading out of Myrtle Beach.
“It’s going to be inconvenient. But we do not want to risk one South Carolina life in this hurricane,” McMaster says.
Charlotte Fire says while the hurricane is unpredictable, they want to be ready no matter what happens.
“Now’s the time, we have a little bit of lead time for this storm that’s currently approaching, so now’s the time for everyone to get ready,” Cannon says.
