NC emergency officials keeping close eye on NC mountains as Ian approaches

William Ray said the state is closely watching the coast and mountains, where some areas are expected to see localized flooding and up to 10 inches of rain.

"We are concerned about the risk of localized flooding, mountain flash flooding, and on the coast, river and inland flooding," Ray said.

Ray said that his office learned a lot during Tropical Storm Fred, which hit western North Carolina in 2021 and killed six people.

Ray said his office will move fast this time, making sure to act quickly when they hear reports of mountain flooding, fast moving water, or anything that increases the risk of landslides.

Gov. Roy Cooper reminded residents on Tuesday that they should have an emergency kit and plan in place as Hurricane Ian heads toward Florida, and eventually North Carolina.

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The state's Emergency Response Team will be active Thursday at the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh, and by Friday morning, the state will have the center staffed 24 hours of the day.

"We are checking our chainsaws, inventory, piping that may be replaced and stone that maybe needs to be put down," said Andrew Barksdale, public information officer for the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Officials with the Department of Transportation are checking low-lying areas and unclogging culverts to limit the amount of flooding on roads this weekend.

Barksdale said the Department of Transportation is working closely with local law enforcement leaders to ensure there is a safe evacuation route on Interstate 95 in case the storm worsens.

On top of public officials helping out during the storm, there will be several volunteers with the Red Cross working around the clock to help people affected by Ian.

Scott Greer said Ian marks the fourth storm in which he's volunteered.

"You do what you can to help people," Greer said. "It builds a great humility in people in their time of need."