Easley, Michael. Press Release, 2006-09-01, Gov. Easley Warns Of Expected Flooding Along NE Cape Fear River As Tropical Storm Ernesto Departs N.C.

Michael F. Easley Governor State of North Carolina Office of the Governor For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Seth Effron Date: September 1 , 2006 Phone: 919/733-5612 GOV. EASLEY WARNS OF EXPECTED FLOODING ALONG NE CAPE FEAR RIVER AS TROPICAL STORM ERNESTO DEPARTS N.C. RALEIGH - Gov. Mike Easley today warned citizens to expect flooding in the Northeast Cape Fear River near Chinquapin in Duplin County and possibly further south into Pender County. The river is expected to crest early Sunday morning at 1 7.6 feet, 4.6 feet above the 13-foot flood stage. All other rivers in eastern North Carolina are expected to have only minor flooding or to stay within their banks. “Although Ernesto has left North Carolina, we still have many roads that are being affected by flooding. There is the potential for major flooding in the Northeast Cape Fear River over the weekend,” said Easley. “I ask citizens to remain vigilant in the coming days.” Tropical Storm Ernesto, with near hurricane force winds, came ashore near Long Beach in Brunswick County late Thursday, dumping 8 to 12 inches of rain as it traveled through the eastern part of the state. It exited North Carolina around noon today. While all of the interstate highways are open for travel at this time, many secondary and mral roads in the eastern part of the state are fully or partly closed due to flooding. A portion of U.S 70 East, a key route for vacationers headed to the coast, is closed because of a dam break in Wayne County about 1.5 miles west of the U.S. 1 17 Bypass at Cogdell’s Pond near Goldsboro. The highway is not expected to reopen fully for several weeks but the N.C. DOT is working to have one east-bound lane open by the end of Saturday. The state Department of Transportation is advising motorists to take U.S. 264 East to U.S. 1 17 South in Wilson to U.S. 70 East in Goldsboro. Local traffic on U.S. 70 East is being detoured via a crossover onto U.S. 70 West. High water closed a lane of eastbound Interstate 40 in Duplin County. In all, portions of more than 200 roads in 1 8 eastern counties have been completely or partly closed due to flooded conditions. There has been one stonn-related traffic fatality reported in a Nash County single car crash. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol had 152 troopers on standby during the storm. Troopers from Raleigh to the coast responded to 272 collisions between 1 1 :()0 p.m. last night and 1 :00 p.m. this afternoon. The N.C. Department of Transportation's Ferry Division has restored service on all ferries that had schedules disrupted or suspended due to Ernesto. They are now back to regular operating schedules. Passengers are encouraged to call the NCDOT Ferry Division's 24-hour information line, 1-800 BY FERRY (293-3779), for up-to-date schedule information, and 51 1, the state's free travel information hotline, for road conditions. For updates on road and other travel conditions, call the N.C. Department of Transportation's travel information line by dialing 5 1 1 or visit www.ncsmartlink.org. Governor's Press Office State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001 (919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005 FAX (919) 733-5166