Tractor trailers and big rigs hauling essentials such as food, water, supplies, and fuel are able to resume deliveries in some parts of Western North Carolina, officials say. Some roads are not open due to lingering standing water or damage.
NCDOT officials on Thursday told BPR — in response to some rumor as well as some confusion over an earlier emergency alert sent to phones — that authorities have opened access for lawful deliveries to grocery stores or other locations where resources are much needed.
Part of what sparked concern was an emergency alert sent to phones in the area saying, “Tractor trailers must stay on the interstate, otherwise you will get stuck.”
A spokesperson interviewed on BPR News as well as a spokesperson from NCDOT connected to the state’s joint information center based in Raleigh confirmed: Commercial truck drivers heading into the mountains to deliver food, supplies, and more, are cleared to travel off the interstate — provided the roads they plan to use are open and deemed safe by law enforcement.
NCDOT officials reiterated the need for volunteers not to “self-deploy” as the roads that are open need to be clear for first responders and authorized workers. Plus, unnecessary travel can further burden already-strained resources across the region.
Instead, the majority of local governments along with transportation officials have stressed the need to coordinate delivery of relief resources and deployment of volunteers. In a couple of small towns across the region, too, local leaders have said increased traffic and unsolicited volunteer groups have slowed local recovery efforts.