State activates hotline for farmers with emergencies
By From staff reports
Published in News on September 13, 2018 5:50 AM
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has activated its hotline to help farmers contact resources that can assist with agricultural emergencies.
The toll-free number is 1-866-645-9403. The hotline operates 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
"Although this storm may change course, we are monitoring the situation closely," said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. "We advise everyone to take this situation seriously and take proper safety measures. We are prepared to work with our state and local partners to help our agricultural community as needed."
Farmers can also find recovery resources on the department's disaster web pages, www.ncagr.gov/disaster.
Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday declared a state of emergency and also temporarily waived certain restrictions for trucks and heavy vehicles to help farmers harvest and move crops and livestock ahead of the storm and help utilities and other equipment be ready to respond if needed.
The order also waives the maximum hours of service allowed for people transporting essential fuels, food, water, medicine, feed for livestock and poultry and those transporting livestock, poultry and crops ready for harvest.