LENOIR COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – Impacts have been seen and felt by Tropical Storm Debby throughout Eastern North Carolina this week.

“We’ve seen rain continue to pound counties throughout the state. Right now, 32 counties have states of emergency declared. We expect there will probably be more as this storm moves north and west,” said Governor Roy Cooper.

As the number of activated National Guard members continue to increase reaching 374 people who are ready to jump into action in case of an emergency.

“We have a system of force packages that we provide to the state so emergency management says we need for example this high clearance trucks or all hazard response team,, and so based on their request, we pull them around the state. So I have soldiers that came as far as Asheville,” said National Guard Captain Emily Lilly.

Cooper also visited the site of Springfield Middle School where a possible tornado heavily damaged the 6th and 7th grade portions of the school.

“Thank God the children were not there when this storm hit,” Cooper said at a news briefing at the school afterwards. “What a devastating blow to this school.”

When asked about the damage to the school, Cooper said he was amazed at how the storm damaged one part of the school, leaving another part untouched.

“Its amazing how devastating a tornado can be, but also how targeted it can be,” Cooper said, referring to the heavy damage to the two sections of the school while leaving another section used by 8th grade classes virtually untouched.

“We will see the bulk of the system continue to move into North Carolina through the day today and into the evening right now. Right now, the center of Debby is anticipated to exit the state and to Virginia very late overnight or early Friday morning,” said Will Ray, the NC Emergency Management Director.

Ray mentioned areas are even opening up emergency shelters “We have 16 shelters open, and at this point, approximately just over 60 individuals in our local jurisdictions are planning and preparing for the potential impact.”

As rain continues to fall, the storm continues throughout our state.

Governor Roy Cooper also mentioned that their main concern was the amount of rainfall we are seeing, but they will continue to work with EMS and the NC DOT.