10 September, 2017
Governor Cooper said the highest concerns were flooding and mudslides in the mountain regions of western North Carolina as well as hurricane-strength winds along the SC border.
At a briefing Friday morning, county officials and first responders gathered to discuss Hurricane Irma and the storm's newly forecasted path, which is expected to spare much of North Carolina from the worst effects of the storm. "Even a glancing blow can cause damage from such a powerful storm".
The track is still being influenced by several factors and it could still change for the Southeast.
"McDowell EM will continue to coordinate with our local partners, as well as state and federal agencies to ensure we are prepared and ready to respond should Irma impact our area", said Kehler.
Charlotte should expect a gusty Monday and 2 to 7 inches of rain are possible between Monday and Tuesday.
Irma is "roughly the size of the state of Texas", Cooper said.
Irma could bring heavy rain and wind to all parts of the state beginning Monday, according to Cooper. It was moving west, and is expected to turn north and head up the western coast of Florida, making landfall on Sunday.
The state is still preparing for additional traffic as the result of evacuations in southern states, particularly Florida, but no excessive overflow is expected.
State emergency management officials are shifting resources to the west, setting up staging areas in Asheville and Greensboro, N.C. Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry said.
Showers would start after 11 a.m. Monday, and sustained wind speeds of 17 to 25 miles per hour, with gusts up to 37 miles per hour possible, the weather service said Saturday. All highway work and lane closures have been suspended to help speed the evacuations from other states.
