Press Releases

The State Emergency Response Team has activated the Joint Information Center in response to the winter storm, which is expected to start impacting North Carolina today. Located at Joint Force 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.

After less than a week in office, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is already preparing for his first winter storm. Meteorologists are predicting four to eight inches of snow across most of the central and eastern portions of the state this weekend. “Given our often unpredictable weather, I encourage North Carolinians to keep a close eye on the forecast during the next several days,” urged Governor Cooper. “This storm could bring several inches of snow to much of our state. Now is the time to update your emergency supply kits if you have not recently done so.”

Governor Roy Cooper today named Erik Hooks to lead the state’s public safety department to direct statewide law enforcement, emergency management, juvenile justice, and corrections divisions.   “He has the utmost integrity and determination to keep the people of our state safe,” Cooper said. “North Carolina can depend on him to bring hard work and dedication to the mission of public safety.”

Nearly 230 law enforcement officers from state, local and federal agencies joined forces this week for Operation Silent Night, an enforcement operation that served outstanding criminal warrants and conducted compliance checks on high risk and violent offenders on probation and parole in Franklin, Granville, Vance and Warren counties.   Significant arrests and accomplishments included:

Safekeeper Donnie Ward #1523340 was found unresponsive in his cell just after midnight Thursday morning at Central Prison. Corrections and medical staff initiated CPR, but Ward was later declared dead, the result of an apparent suicide. The State Capitol Police Department is investigating the death. Ward, 41, was being held at Central Prison as a safekeeper, pre-trial detainee. The Caldwell County man was awaiting trial on murder charges for the November 2015 shooting death of Eleuterio Vasquez Petrez

This year, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety prison system saw a three-fold increase in the number of facilities growing and donating produce to local food banks, community pantries and social service organizations. The 20 facilities more than doubled the amount of fruits and vegetables sent to help fight hunger and improve health in their communities.

Governor Pat McCrory has declared Dec. 11-17 as Winter Weather Preparedness Week and is urging North Carolinians to plan, prepare and be ready for potentially dangerous winter weather.

Nearly 50 law enforcement officers and support staff from state, local and federal agencies joined forces this week for Operation Arrow – Onslow County, an enforcement operation that served outstanding criminal warrants and conducted compliance checks on high risk and violent offenders on probation and parole.  

Governor Pat McCrory signed an Executive Order this week finalizing the boundary line between the state of North Carolina and South Carolina from Polk to Brunswick County. "This Executive Order is a culmination of more than 20 years of work from leaders in North and South Carolina," said Governor McCrory. "I am proud of our efforts to settle this issue and our strong partnership with Governor Nikki Haley and our neighbors in South Carolina."

When homes are flooded and lives are upended, treasured keepsakes such as photos, artwork, quilts and family heirlooms become more cherished. Although they may have been damaged in the flood, these treasures may be salvageable. Hurricane Matthew survivors who have set aside these damaged treasures can learn how to bring them back to life at the North Carolina Emergency Management/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in the Edgecombe County Disaster Recovery Center at the Riverside Plaza, 1600 West Howard Ave., Tarboro, N.C., on Monday, Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.