RALEIGH – The N.C. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activated this morning with N.C. Emergency Management staff and key State Emergency Response Team partners monitoring Hurricane Joaquin and the ongoing heavy rainfall with the objective of supporting local government preparation, response and recovery efforts.

The SEOC activated following the State of Emergency declared by Gov. McCrory yesterday. SERT partners include representatives from the departments of Public Safety, Transportation, Health and Human Services and Agriculture, as well as the Office of Emergency Medical Services, the N.C. National Guard, the State Highway Patrol, Swift Water Rescue teams and private sector partners.

Additionally, the State Emergency Response Team has opened its Joint Information Center. Located at Joint Forces Headquarters at 1636 Gold Star Drive in Raleigh, the JIC will coordinate the release of information regarding state storm preparation and response. Individuals are on duty to gather the latest information and assist reporters interested in covering the state’s response to the storm. Additionally, officials will use this center to conduct media briefings as needed.

The latest information can be found on the ReadyNC web site – www.readync.org – on Twitter @NCEmergency and Facebook. Real-time traffic, flood, weather and shelter information is available via the ReadyNC mobile app, available for free for iPhones and Android devices.