HURRICANE UPDATE - STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED in CAROLINA'S AS HANNA and IKE APPROACH

Gov. Mike Easley declared a State of Emergency Thursday as Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike are projected to soon hit the coast of North Carolina.
While Cleveland County is not projected to be in Hanna's direct path, areas of the state east of I-95 are expected to get winds up to 80 mph and three to five inches of rain, enough to cause flooding.
"It now appears Hanna will be a Category 1 hurricane when it hits the North Carolina coast early Saturday morning," said Easley. "Since the exact path is uncertain, everyone who lives in the coastal counties needs to be ready. If you do not have your emergency supplies kit together and your emergency plan in place, there is no time to wait. Please act now."
Easley's office announced that he had issued Executive Orders, 144 and 145, which would direct state and local agencies to work together in implementing the state's Emergency Operations Plan.
Two hundred and seventy members of the N.C. National Guard were activated Wednesday as well as 12 of the state's 25 Swift Water Rescue teams, according to a release from the governor's office.
An emergency bilingual hotline has been set up and will begin 24-hour operations today at 10 a.m. Residents can call toll-free at 1-888-835-9966.



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