(The Center Square) – Farmers along the coast and particularly in northeastern North Carolina are being aided ahead of Hurricane Erin with a transportation waiver.
First-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein issued executive orders on Tuesday declaring an emergency and altering rules that help emergency equipment maneuver. Ocracoke and Hatteras islands are under evacuation orders, and the seaside N.C. 12 highway is expected to be washed out in places.
The order suspends certain size and weight restrictions for trucks delivering essential goods, livestock feed, crops and debris removal equipment. For drivers carrying relief supplies or restoring utilities, the maximum hours-of-service limits are temporarily lifted.
“North Carolina’s farm community is no stranger to dealing with hurricanes and know what needs to be done ahead of the storm to help limit damage,” said sixth-term Republican Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The waiving of some motor vehicle regulations related to agriculture is a big help to farmers readying their farms for bad weather.
“This executive order will allow our farmers the opportunity to harvest as much of their crops as they can before the storm hits and will help ensure that livestock, poultry, crops and feed can be moved as needed.”
The order, for now, lasts 14 days.
“I urge farmers to take this storm seriously and do what you can now to be prepared,” Troxler said. “Check your generators, fuel and emergency kits. We don’t know what impact this storm will have yet on our state. But we do know that preparation saves lives and protects property.”
