Health & Safety

What you need to know as Ian impacts North Carolina

by WFDD staff

A map showing Hurricane Ian's projected path
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Image courtesy National Weather Service, Raleigh.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for parts of the Triad, including Guilford, Forsyth, Davie, and Randolph counties. Heavy rain is forecasted throughout the day Friday and into the evening, with possible winds gusting to 57 mph. 

  • Governor Cooper has issued a State of Emergency Wednesday and urges North Carolinians to avoid unnecessary travel, have an emergency plan in place, and says it's important not to drive through standing water. Information about emergency preparedness is available at ReadyNC.gov. 
  • Keep current on the latest power outages here. 
  • Track the latest forecast from Raleigh's National Weather Service. 
  • Many area schools, universities, agencies, and businesses are closed or closing early Friday. A full list can be found here. 
  • Follow related storm stories from NPR, and statewide public radio stations WUNC and WFAE. 
September 30, 9:38 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a Flash Flood Warning including Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Durham until 11:30 p.m. EDT.

September 30, 8:31 p.m.

Duke Energy outage maps show around 31,257 customers without power in Guilford County, and roughly 10,865 outages in Forsyth County. Across the Carolinas, nearly 289,327 outages have been reported as of 4:00 p.m.

September 30, 6:10 p.m.

The National Weather Service, in Raleigh, NC, says Ian has moved ashore as a post-tropical cyclone and is weakening. Conditions across Central NC are estimated to be at their worst from mid to late evening.

September 30, 5:50 p.m.

North Carolina officials say they'll move emergency crews as needed to adjust to the shifting path of Hurricane Ian as it charges through the state tonight and tomorrow. Gov. Roy Cooper said during a briefing that Ian is now expected to hit hardest in the central and southeastern parts of the state.

“We were looking at this being more of a western North Carolina event a little earlier,” said Cooper. “The storm has tacked a little bit to the east. So we may see more rain in the southeastern and central part of our state than expected.  “

Cooper said road and emergency crews are staged in all 100 North Carolina counties, but can move quickly and reposition if needed. 

Power outages were on the increase even before the storm arrived, especially in southeastern North Carolina, according to emergency management director Will Ray. NCDOT chief Eric Boyette said road conditions have gotten worse, and he urged people to stay off the roads until the storm has passed.

David Boraks/WFAE 

September 30, 4:15 p.m.

Duke Energy outage maps show around 1,000 customers without power in Guilford County, and roughly 165 outages in Forsyth County. Across the Carolinas, nearly 100,000 outages have been reported as of 4:00 p.m.

September 30, 2:51 p.m.

Governor Roy Cooper issued a press release urging North Carolinians to “be safe and cautious” as Hurricane Ian impacts weather in the state. The storm made landfall in South Carolina at 2:05 p.m. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for all of North Carolina except southwestern portions of the state.

High winds will continue on Friday into the overnight hours going into Saturday. Western North Carolina could see gusts of 35-55 miles per hour.

The State Emergency Response Team moved to 24-hour operations starting on Friday morning and will continue through the weekend.

As of 1:30 p.m. more than 29,000 homes and businesses were without power.

September 30, 1:36 p.m.

Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines has declared a State of Emergency. According to a press release, this is considered a precautionary measure in the event that the remnants of Hurricane Ian cause “widespread or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property.”

Making the declaration allows the city to be eligible for federal reimbursement of storm-related expenses.

September 30, 11:24 a.m.

Effective at noon today, Guilford County officials are declaring a State of Emergency. This is in anticipation of inclement weather from Hurricane Ian and how it might affect the area. In a press release, the declaration was described as “precautionary.”

The National Weather Service is estimating an increase in wind and rain for Guilford County into the evening hours. NWS also says Guilford is likely to see winds between 25 and 35mph with gusts of 50mph or higher.

The declaration goes for all incorporated areas of Guilford County including Greensboro, High Point, Gibsonville, Jamestown, Pleasant Garden, Sedalia, Stokesdale, Summerfield, Oak Ridge, and Whitsett.

The main airport in Charleston, South Carolina, has closed ahead of the expected arrival of Hurricane Ian. Officials with the Charleston International Airport say they shuttered the airport, where airlines had already canceled dozens of fights, and winds reached 40 mph. The airport will remain closed until 6 a.m. Saturday. Under a federal disaster declaration approved by President Joe Biden, federal emergency aid has been made available to supplement South Carolina’s state, tribal and local response efforts pertaining to the storm, which was expected to make landfall in the state later Friday.  - The Associated Press

Gov cooper

Governor Cooper says North Carolinians showed remain alert to the weather forecast and have an emergency plan in place ahead of the storm expected to impact the Triad Friday. (Screenshot of Governor Cooper's press conference courtesy of the NC Department of Public Safety). 

North Carolina officials are readying for the remnants of Hurricane Ian and asking residents to keep a close watch on the weather. A tropical storm warning is in effect for parts of the Triad including Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, and Randolph counties. It’s expected that the storm will impact much of the state on Friday, with gusty winds and rain forecasted. Guilford County schools will operate remotely and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools are closed Friday due to the weather. 

At a press conference Thursday afternoon, Governor Roy Cooper said the storm may be unpredictable and all residents should be prepared. 

"This storm can still be dangerous and even deadly. Heavy rains, up to 7 inches in some areas, are likely to bring flooding. Landslides are a threat in our mountains and there’s a chance of tornados statewide," Cooper said. "Coastal flooding, heavy rain, and gusty winds are likely as this storm passes through."

 

Cooper issued a State of Emergency Wednesday ahead of the storm, which eases rules on fuel transportation and critical supplies. It also protects consumers from price gauging and allows the state to seek federal support if needed.

Cooper says North Carolinians should emergency plan in place. State officials offer these tips to stay safe:

  • Have multiple ways to receive emergency info, including watches and warnings. Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on your cell phone and download a weather app.
  • Have an emergency plan. Know where you would go if you need to evacuate. Make a plan to stay with family, friends or at a hotel. Public shelters should be a last resort.
  • Gather some emergency supplies or refresh your emergency kit. Visit ReadyNC.gov for info on how to build an emergency kit.
  • If you live at the coast, you should know if you live in a coastal evacuation zone. Visit KnowYourZone.nc.gov to see if you are in a pre-determined evacuation zone. Learn your zone and listen for it if evacuations are ordered by local governments.
  • Check to see if your community offers emergency alert services for its residents.
  • Avoid unnecessary travel.

 

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