GREENVILLE, N.C. - Greenville Mayor Allen Thomas declared a State of Emergency for the City of Greenville at 4:30 p.m., due to the high probability of heavy rain, winds, and potential flooding in the area.
The proclamation provides the Greenville Police Department with the ability to restrict or deny access to any area, location, or street where such a restriction is necessary in order to help overcome an emergency or to prevent the emergency from worsening.
Due to the forecast and the potential effects of the approaching Hurricane Matthew, the City of Greenville also activated its Emergency Operations Center today at 4 p.m. The Level II activation allows key personnel to ensure that all potential functions and roles are operational in the event of an emergency.
As Hurricane Matthew heads toward the North Carolina coast, Greenville is currently projected to receive approximately 8-12 inches of rainfall with wind speeds reaching somewhere between 20-35 miles per hour during the next 24-48 hours. In preparation, Pitt County Emergency Management, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, will open two general population shelters tonight at 8 p.m. These shelters will be located at Wellcome Middle School, 3101 North Memorial Drive, Greenville, and Ayden Middle School, 192 West Third Street, Ayden.
The City of Greenville has also taken the following precautions:
- All Recreation and Parks facilities will be closed on Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9, and all programs have been cancelled.
- GREAT Bus Transit services for Saturday, October 8 have been suspended.
- The Greenville Down East Farmers Market scheduled for Saturday, October 8 at Five Points Plaza has been cancelled.
Some areas of the city are more prone to flooding during heavy rain events. Potential flood zones in Greenville include:
- 14th Street and Charles Street (Both sides of Rite-Aid)
- 10th Street and College Hill
- 1st Street and Brownlea Drive
- Reade Street and Cotanche Street
- Evans Street and Deck Street
- Evans Street and Arlington Boulevard
- Dickinson Avenue Underpass
- Old Tar Road
Residents should make every effort to stay off the roads this weekend, but those who must travel in flood-prone areas are advised to stay alert for standing water and the potential that some streets could be blocked if flooding occurs. If you encounter flooding, the following safety tips are recommended:
- Remember that flash flooding can occur even if it is not raining in your area because it could be raining harder upstream.
- Never attempt to drive through water covering a roadway or bridge. Keep in mind that it does not take a lot of water to incapacitate a vehicle, and there may not be a road under the water.
- Watch for flooding at bridges and dips in the road.
- Watch for debris (rocks, limbs, etc.) that may be caught in moving water and can be dangerous if you are forced to walk or swim through flood waters.
- Stay on high ground as much as possible.
To report an emergency situation during the storm, call 911. To report any flooding after the storm, call 329.4522.
Flooding is not the only concern associated with the heavy rainfall. The grounds are already saturated, and the additional water may loosen the dirt around trees and power lines. High winds that are often associated with a tropical system could cause the trees or power lines to fall. If you encounter a downed power line, do not touch it and call the Greenville Utilities Commission emergency hotline immediately at 1-855-767-2482. Always assume that a power line is live and dangerous.
Residents who choose to evacuate and go to one of the available shelters should keep in mind that local and state health and safety regulations do not permit the Red Cross to allow pets at disaster shelters. Below is a list of reputable kennels currently accepting pets:
- Animal Care Veterinary Hospital, 502 McMillan Lane, Greenville 252.758.9971
- Animal Hospital of Pitt County, 107 Trade Street, 252.756.0148
- Barking Buddies, 104 Trade Street, 252.439.2275
- Four Paws Inn, 3131 Moseley Drive, 252.329.7297
- Hoffman-Haus Pet Resort, 1031 Laurie Ellis Road, 252.355-4663
- E&B Boarding, 3729 JC Galloway Road, 252.531.7057
- Riverside Pet Resort, 6038 Clarks Neck Road, Washington, 252.975.5800
In case of emergencies, the City of Greenville's Animal Protective Services will have officers working throughout the weekend. Contact them at 252.329.4387.
