Several Still Missing in North Carolina Following Flooding from Tropical Storm Fred

As of yesterday evening, Fred had made it’s way through North Carolina and is expected to reach parts of New York and New England today. According to an update from Haywood County’s Emergency Services in North Carolina, there were about 35 people unaccounted for after flooding occurred due to the storm. Several people had been found safe and reunited with their families but others were added to the list of missing individuals throughout the day. Ground, aerial and swift water rescue teams were sent to areas hit by the storm to start search and rescue efforts.

Sheriff Greg Christopher said the department started evacuating residents on Tuesday afternoon and Governor Roy Cooper issued a state of emergency in response to the severe weather in the state. The order activated the state’s emergency operations plan and waived transportation rules to help first responders and the agriculture industry.
The order will also help North Carolinians harvest and transport their crops quickly by temporarily suspending the weighing of vehicles used to transport livestock, poultry or crops and also waves the weight requirements for vehicles carrying emergency relief supplies or services to assist with the restoration of utility services, debris removal and emergency relief efforts.