North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper delivers a new conference about Tropical Storm Debby alongside state officials at the National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh on Aug. 7, 2024. (Photo by Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

Gov. Roy Cooper and North Carolina officials said Wednesday the state was prepared for widespread and potentially severe flash flooding in the coming days as Tropical Storm Debby sweeps across the east coast.

“All North Carolinians across our state need to be prepared for a deluge,” Cooper said in a news conference broadcast to the public. “More rain than most of us see in a month, or even several months.”

Southeastern portions of the state could see as much of 15 inches of rain as the storm moves through, and up to 10 inches in central parts of the state. The storm is set to bring multiple days of heavy precipitation due to its “slow, gradual approach.”

Cooper urged residents to listen to local guidance, avoid flooded roads and follow evacuation orders in parts of the state where they are needed.

The state has deployed 17 swift water rescue teams, primarily to eastern parts of the state. Food and supplies are set to be distributed to nine counties in the southeast corner.

Cooper said as of Wednesday, he didn’t expect rivers to reach the levels seen during Hurricanes Florence and Matthew. But he said that, tentatively, state officials expect rivers to crest starting Friday, and possibly through Sunday.

“We hope that this event will not approach the catastrophic nature of both of those hurricanes,” Cooper said. “But it just shows us, we have to pay attention to resiliency, to building code standards.”

Cooper declared a state of emergency on Monday, allowing for state agencies to swiftly respond to outages and deliver supplies when needed.

And on Wednesday morning, President Joe Biden authorized FEMA to provide disaster assistance for affected counties. FEMA has personnel on the ground in the state as of today, state officials said.

Fatalities from the storm have already been reported in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, said Cooper, who said “our prayers are with our southern neighbors.”

North Carolinians seeking more information about the storm and what they should do to prepare should visit ReadyNC.gov. And you can follow forecasts for flooding and water levels at FIMAN.nc.gov.

RALEIGH, N.C. (WBTV) – Senator JD Vance has postponed his North Carolina visit due to Tropical Storm Debby’s severe weather forecast.

The two events were scheduled to take place in Raleigh and Oakboro. The Trump-Vance campaign will reschedule the events “as soon as possible.”

>> Kamala Harris postpones Thursday’s NC visit, cites Tropical Storm Debby

A State of Emergency was activated in North Carolina Monday afternoon in anticipation of severe weather brought on by Debby.

The emergency declaration was made the day before potentially historic rainfall, and subsequent flooding was expected to reach the Carolinas. Debby first touched down as a Category 1 Hurricane in Florida the morning of Monday, Aug. 5, and was forecast to slowly move north and east along the coast through the rest of the week.

Copyright 2024 WBTV. All rights reserved.

How much do you need to have saved for retirement? If you live in North Carolina, you will need at least $681,000 for a 20-year-long retirement. However, if you need a longer retirement or don’t have Social Security benefits, that number can be much higher.

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Here’s what you need to know about the costs of retirement in North Carolina and how they compare to the rest of the U.S.

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How Much Money Do Retirees Need In North Carolina?

According to GoBankingRate’s Bureau of Labor Statistics data analysis, the cost of living for an adult 65 years and older in North Carolina is $55,620.92. The average annual Social Security benefit for retirees is $21,566.76, meaning the average North Carolina retiree will need an additional $34,054.16 of annual income.

Here’s how much you will need to have saved for retirement based on those numbers.

If you’re planning a 20-year-long retirement, you’d need around $681,000. To enjoy a 25 or 30-year retirement, you’ll need $851,354 or $1,022,647, respectively.

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Of course, if you invest some of that money into safe assets, you can stretch your money a bit further. Before making any investment decisions, consult with a qualified financial advisor who gives you personalized advice and helps you make the most of your savings safely.

Here are five reasons you need this much money to retire in North Carolina.

1. Groceries

In North Carolina, the annual cost of groceries is approximately $4,710.65, about 1.8% less than the national average of $4,797. While this means you can get slightly more bang for your buck, food costs vary based on your dietary needs and preferences.

Keeping an organized budget in this category can help retirees maintain a balanced diet without overspending. Take advantage of discounts and local markets to get the most out of your budget.

2. Housing Costs

Housing in North Carolina costs about 7.7% less than the national average, with an annual expense of $10,791.72 compared to $11,692. This means you can save on one of the biggest retirement expenses.

You may also save even more by moving to a more cost-effective community or downsizing to a smaller property that meets your needs without stretching your budget.

3. Utilities

Utility expenses in North Carolina average $3,914.06 annually, about 7.6% below the national average of $4,236. Utilities are a monthly expense that can fluctuate with usage and seasonal changes. You might pay more in winter when you need to heat your home and keep the lights on for longer.

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You can save on utilities by setting the thermostat a few degrees higher in the summer when you’re out or asleep and by knocking down the thermostat temperature a bit at night during the winter.

4. Transportation

North Carolina’s transportation costs are 8% lower than the national average, costing you about $4,547.56 yearly. While owning a car provides freedom, using it also means continuous expenses on gas and maintenance.

To save money, you can try carpooling and using public transit. If you live in a walkable area, walking to and from some of your errands can help you save money and stay healthy at the same time.

5. Healthcare

Your healthcare expenses in North Carolina will be around $8,060.26 annually — nearly 6.9% higher than the national average of $7,540. Healthcare often becomes a more significant expense as you age, so it’s wise to explore all your insurance options thoroughly.

Look into supplemental plans that cover what Medicare does not, and always shop around for services to ensure you are getting quality care at the best price.

Should You Move Out of North Carolina To Retire?

Is it worth it for retirees to move out of North Carolina? While some states in the U.S. are cheaper, the cost of living in North Carolina is already 3.8% less expensive than the national average of $57,818 per year.

If you would prefer to live in a different state and own your house, it might make financial sense to try and sell it and downsize to a smaller house or apartment.

Everyone’s finances are different, so it can be a good idea to consult with a financial advisor about your specific situation.

Methodology: In order to find out exactly how much you need to retire in your state, GOBankingRates found the annual cost of expenditures for a retired person in each state by multiplying the 65-year and older expenditures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022 Consumer Expenditure Survey by the cost of living index for each state from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center’s Q3 2023 cost of living series. To find how much money a retired person would need to save, we divided each state’s annual expenditures, minus the annual Social Security income as sourced from the Social Security Administration’s Monthly Statistical Snapshot, March 2022, by 0.0333%, 0.04%, and 0.05% assuming 20, 25, and 30 years of retirement respectively. All data was collected and is current as of January 8, 2024.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Reasons You Need at Least $681K (Plus Social Security) To Retire in North Carolina