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RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation is prepared for storms this hurricane season and encourages you to prepare, as well.

With the impending arrival of the remnants of Hurricane Idalia, NCDOT has about 2,200 employees prepared to respond to transportation infrastructure needs across North Carolina.

The department has about 1,900 trucks, backhoes, loaders and motor graders ready to clear debris, and thousands of barricades and emergency signs to deploy, as needed, after the storm passes.

Crews across the state worked to get ahead of flooding by checking catch basins and culvert inlets for obstructions at known trouble spots.

On the tail end of the storm, NCDOT will work to get any roads that close reopened as swiftly as possible, using contractors if needed.

The department is using its flood warning system in ways it never has before to prepare for and respond to the storm.

The flood warning system has new storm surge prediction capabilities that enable staff to make more informed decisions to help protect the traveling public.

The agency is also continuing its innovative use of drones. Drone pilots conduct pre-storm flights to high-risk coastal areas to gather imagery that will help with post-hurricane damage assessments. The drone teams can also quickly mobilize to respond to requests for flights to assess damage, monitor flooding, inform traffic routing, and livestream video for situational awareness.

Ports and Ferries

North Carolina’s Ports Authority and Ferry Division have announced some anticipated adjustments due to the storm.

All Ports facilities are open and operating on a normal schedule today. Starting tomorrow, commercial activities and tenant access will be suspended at the Ports of Wilmington and Morehead City until further notice. The Ports Authority is working hard to ensure as little disruption as possible to the supply chain and logistics needs of its customers.

For the Ferry Division, five of the seven vehicle ferry routes will be suspended starting at the end of the day. Operations for the Hatteras-to-Ocracoke route are expected to be suspended after Thursday’s first run and conditions of the Currituck route will be monitored tomorrow.

You can find Ports and Ferry status updates on their webpages and social media accounts.

Rail 

At this time, all NC By Train passenger trains are still operating, but please visit NCByTrain.org or Amtrak.com as those schedules could change.

DMV

The Division of Motor Vehicles will also let customers know if services are impacted by the storm at myncdmv.gov and on social media.

Safety First

Entering the holiday weekend, NCDOT will help ease travel by temporarily halting most construction activities where feasible along major highways. The temporary work stoppage will go from Friday through Tuesday.

However, the department urges everyone to stay off roads in areas affected by this storm.

• If you must be out, when using your windshield wipers turn on your headlights, as required by North Carolina law.
• Don’t walk or drive through moving water or flooded roadways.
• Never drive around barricades. It is against the law, and they are there to protect you.
• Turn around, don’t drown.

For the latest road conditions, visit DriveNC.gov, and for emergency preparation information, visit readync.gov.