RALEIGH — Because of recent heavy snow and rain Governor Jim Hunt has declared a state of emergency in all 100 North Carolina counties.

Hunt met with emergency management officials Wednesday morning in Raleigh to plan relief efforts. The weather has caused concern from the mountains to the coast. Snow, flooding, and gale force winds are pressing emergency management staff into action. Crews are working around the clock statewide to make sure people are safe.

The Emergency Operations Center is the nerve center during weather emergencies, and it's a busy place these days. Snow and water are closing roads. Some residents are without power, and everyone is keeping an eye on creeks and rivers.

By mid-afternoon Wednesday, water surrounded some Lumberton houses and the entire community was sufficiently soaked. In Henderson County, the precipitation came in the form of snow. Up to two feet fell in some areas.

In mountain areas where heavy snow has knocked out power lines, there's concern for folks stranded in their homes.

At the coast, they need help keeping crashing waves at bay. The storm is churning up the sea as gale force winds batter the beaches.

Wednesday morning Governor Jim Hunt heard from personnel who are coordinating the state's efforts to weather the storm.

Hunt says things will get worse before they get better.

In the Triangle, waters are already on the rise. The Dacien Road area is thoroughly soaked. One resident of that area said she hasn't seen flooding like this since Hurricane Fran.

A big concern in the eastern part of the state is Fran debris. It's still in many creeks and rivers, making them flood quickly.