North Carolina and Maryland are two of the states in the path of Hurricane Sandy, although they are getting less media attention than New York, where the storm is expected to make landfall Oct. 29.
Bridges and roads were closed, ferries were suspended, and shelters were opened, while both states’s governors issued official emergency declarations and urged residents to stay out of the storm.
“This is a large storm with a lot of energy and its effects are likely to be felt along our coast and throughout eastern counties,” said Gov. Bev Perdue (D-N.C.) in a statement.
Governors must declare a state of emergency in order to invite the federal government to bring supplies and help.
Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-Md.) activated the National Guard after declaring a state of emergency three days ago for Hurricane Sandy.
O'Malley advised people in his state to “hunker down” and “safeguard your own families so that you don’t need the help” from first responders and National Guardsmen. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge was closed, as winds and seas were high. Coastal towns had winds above 50 mph.
Perdue declared 40 counties along the North Carolina coast and inland in a state of emergency. In an official statement, she said, “The declaration authorizes officials to respond more effectively to the emergency by authorizing additional state government resources to assist county and municipal governments.”
So far, the state, which is the southernmost one in the path of Sandy, has had flooding of up to two feet. More is expected, according to an announcement from the state.
The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 19 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.
