CRAVEN COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – Governor Roy Cooper attended the North Carolina Commander’s Council meeting at Cherry Point on early Tuesday afternoon to listen to military commanders from across the state. They discussed potential improvements for military bases and Cooper also commented on the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby.

Many communities across Eastern Carolina are still experiencing the aftermath of tropical storm Debby. This includes sinkholes in Kinston, tornado damage in Wilson County, and ongoing road closures due to flooding.

Governor Cooper mentioned that his team learned valuable lessons from Hurricane Matthew and Florence, particularly in areas that continued to flood. He stated that they have implemented buyout programs in those flood-prone areas and have provided incentives for property owners to build structures that can withstand such conditions.

When asked if he and his team identified any areas that may be zoned for a no-rebuild zone order, Cooper says it’s a little too early to tell.

“There are damage assessments going on now by the locals working with the state. We’re going to look at all of that data and continue to try and make smart decisions. We want to rebuild as quickly as possible but we also want to rebuild in a smart way,” says Governor Cooper.

For updates on regarding road closures and flooding, click here