SALISBURY — Mayor Al Heggins declared a state of emergency in Salisbury as a precaution for the possible hit from Hurricane Florence.

The declaration follows similar declarations by Rowan County and surrounding towns.

“As we continue to monitor the potential impacts of Hurricane Florence on the city of Salisbury, we want our residents to know that city officials and employees are being proactive to guarantee the safety and welfare of everyone,” Heggins said. “I encourage all Salisburians to take stock of their emergency supplies, check in with neighbors and stay up to date on the latest emergency information, by signing up for Nixle notifications or monitoring local weather reports. By working together, we will be able to face this storm head on.”

Heggins said declaring a state of emergency ensures that the city can receive financial assistance if needed. It also permits city employees to work beyond normal work hours to complete emergency repairs and restore services to residents.

She said she would rather “have it and not need it than not have it at all.”

The mayor advised residents to stay inside and avoid unnecessary traveling.

To receive up-to-date information on the storm, sign up for Nixle notification alerts with nixle.com or text the word SALISBURY to 888-777. Residents can follow #FlorenceRoCo on social media to get messages related to the storm.

Other municipalities that have declared a state of emergency include Landis, Rockwell, Cleveland, Spencer and Granite Quarry.

East Spencer Town Planner Joe Morris said the town is operating under the state of emergency issued by Gov. Roy Cooper for the state and locally the county.

The town staff has been meeting every day and participating in Rowan County Emergency Services phone briefings, Morris said.

East Spencer has made accommodations for additional staffing in the event of an emergency. The public works department has been working to clear streets and make sure it has “equipment on the ready, barricades, chainsaws. The police and fire departments have made sure vehicles are fueled,” he said.

Morris said both the East Spencer police and fire departments have ensured that adequate staff will be in place and that the Fire Department has a generator.

“We’ve been in a general sense of readiness and, hopefully, we will be prepared. In the event the storm significantly impacts the town, staff will be ready,” he said.