Tropical Storm Fred.Photo: AP/Shutterstock
Tropical Storm Fred has left two people dead and at least 35 missing in North Carolina as the state suffers from severe flooding.
Gov. Roy Cooperdeclared a state of emergencyon Wednesday to expedite search and rescue efforts.
“More than 98 people have already been rescued from floodwaters in western counties,” he said in a press release.
“This state of emergency will allow our first responders to get into our affected communities quickly to save lives, restore power, remove debris and bring supplies,” the governor added. “North Carolina is strong and resilient, and we’re committed to helping people and businesses recover as quickly as possible.”
“At this time we have around 35 people still unaccounted for. Several people were located safe and reunited with their families, and several others were added to the list throughout the day as loved ones called in,” the county said viaFacebookon Wednesday.
Allison Richmond, the county’s emergency services spokeswoman, toldUSA Todaythat two deaths have been linked to the storm. The victims have not yet been identified.
“We have homes that are completely destroyed and off their foundations,” Sheriff Greg Christopher of Haywood County told the outlet. “Mobile homes that were moved, and mobile home parks that I would call completely destroyed.”
Tropical Storm Fred.North Carolina department of transportation/ twitter
Fred has caused “significant damage to roads and bridges, especially in Cruso, with at least 10-15 bridges damaged or destroyed,” officials shared on Facebook.
In Buncombe County, there were about 70 water rescues, spokesperson Lillian Govus toldUSA Today.
Those near a river in the Pisgah National Forest haveposted videosas the water rose and flooded the area.
Fred touched down in Florida on Monday and has been responsible for flooding, power outages and destroyed homes across the state, Georgia and the Carolinas, according to the National Weather Service.
One person died in Florida after he hydroplaned near Panama City on Monday, theTampa Bay Timesreported.
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The storm is expected to bring heavy rain, flash floods and possibly tornados to New York and throughout New England, theNational Weather ServiceandNational Hurricane Centersaid.
In the Atlantic, the National Hurricane Center has issued warnings for Hurricane Grace, which touched down in Mexico this week, andTropical Storm Henri, which is moving upward through the East Coast and Atlantic Canada.
source: people.com
