North Carolina Governor Easley Sends Assessment Teams To Evaluate Storm Damage

5/9/2008 -- Raleigh - North Carolina Governor Mike Easley today dispatched damage assessment teams comprised of state and local officials to Guilford, Forsyth, and Davie counties to begin the process of assessing damage from the storm that swept through the area late Thursday and earlier today.

“Sending these damage assessment teams is a vital step in the recovery process, and one that will help get life back to normal,” Easley said. “I ask people to take caution so as not to put themselves or others at risk by avoiding downed power lines, flooded roads and rain-swollen waterways.”

At least one person is dead and at least three others were injured after what law enforcement officers said was a tornado that touched down near Interstate 40 and Sandy Ridge Road in Greensboro late Thursday night. The North Carolina Highway Patrol said the storm blew several tractor-trailers off Interstate 40 but could not confirm the number. A section of I-40 was briefly closed due to the accidents and to remove damaged vehicles and debris. The interstate was re-opened by 9 a.m.

There were several reports of fallen trees and downed power lines. Central and western parts of the state were hardest hit by the storms. Duke Energy reported more than 900 customers in Guilford County and nearly 7,000 customers in Forsyth County were without power as of 7:45 a.m. Davie County had more than 6,000 customers without power.

Several homes and businesses in the region were damaged, some destroyed, by the storm system that swept through the southeastern part of the nation and hit the central Piedmont late Thursday evening and early this morning.

Source: North Carolina Governor

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