Randolph County listed as part of state of emergency

Randolph County was included in Gov. Josh Stein’s state of emergency issued last week for several counties in central North Carolina that were still coping with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Chantal.

The release from the governor’s office said the state of emergency was issued “to facilitate and support long-term recovery efforts from flooding caused by Tropical Storm Chantal.”

This makes state and federal funds available to assist the 13 counties listed.

“Tropical Storm Chantal cost some of our neighbors their lives and others their livelihood and property. We must do everything we can to support them as they get back on their feet,” Stein said in the release. “This state of emergency will help get North Carolinians the support they need and enable the state to seek out potential funding to help communities rebuild.”

Other counties included in the state of emergency are Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Lee, Moore, Orange, Person and Wake. Based on most reports, the brunt of the July 7 storm impacted Orange, Chatham, Alamance and Durham counties.

Randolph County was included in a stream of storm advisories and warnings that included flash flooding across multiple days. The communities in eastern Randolph County such as Ramseur and Staley were frequently listed on the watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service.

“The Division of Emergency Management is working with local officials to assess the scope of damage caused by Tropical Storm Chantal,” the release said. “As the full damage assessment is completed in concert with relevant federal partners, the declaration along with the assessment analysis will determine possible additional support that residents, businesses, and local governments may receive to accelerate the recovery process and support expenses incurred during the response phase of the disaster.”

In a related but separate announcement, North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced the state’s price gouging laws have been implemented in the impacted counties. The same 13 counties were listed in his announcement. The state of emergency triggered the anti-price gouging edict.

 “If you see a business charging more for essential goods or services than they should, file a complaint with our office right away,” Jackson said. “We will do everything we can to hold bad actors responsible.”

These laws stay in place for 30 days.