NCDOT urges people to prepare for Debby

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — As Tropical Storm Debby approaches North Carolina, state transportation officials are urging people to pay attention to the latest weather and prepare now.

Our area can expect upwards of 10 to 12 inches of rain across the area with an increasing risk of flash flooding towards Wednesday.

“Now’s the time to get yourself prepared,” said North Carolina Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins. “Please monitor the weather and if you need food, water or other supplies, get those now because once the storm hits it may impact the roads you use. We’re expecting a lot of rain from Debby that could cause flooding and make traveling dangerous.”

According to a news release, the NC Department of Transportation crews are readying equipment and staff as we prepare for possible impacts from Debby.

More than 2,200 employees statewide are preparing to respond as needed. NCDOT is fueling up and testing equipment and vehicles, including about 1,500 chainsaws and trucks, and nearly 600 backhoes, graders and front-end loaders. Agency crews are also prepared to keep people safe after the storm. The department has thousands of road closure and high-water signs, as well as barricades.

People should postpone unnecessary travel during the storm, and go to DriveNC.gov to check for real-time road conditions.