By Sara Wood
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/whqr/local-whqr-983786.mp3
Wilmington, NC – Hurricane Irene continues to whip across southeastern North Carolina's coast, producing steady winds and deteriorating conditions. WHQR's Sara Wood reports that emergency officials are keeping a particularly close watch on roadways, where obstacles abound.
There is still a fair amount of traffic on main highways and officials are encouraging the public to stay off the roads. Anthony Marzano is Emergency Management Director for rural Brunswick County. One of his primary concerns is the safety of his emergency responders.
"The hazards to them are the same to the motoring public. And particularly at night, flying debris, falling trees, falling limbs and most significantly flash floods or water across roadways are increasingly difficult to recognize."
As Marzano's crews work through the night, hundreds of residents are checking into shelters.