Contact: Jim Collins
Phone: (336) 412-6311

Storm Assessment Completed
Limited Access Allowed for Business Owners in Affected Area

GREENSBORO, NC -- (May 9, 2008) –The Greensboro Fire Department and the Greensboro Police Department have completed their assessments of the eastern quadrant of the area damaged by last night’s severe storms and Police are planning to provide limited access for business owners who have businesses in the affected areas beginning at 11:30 am.

During a news conference this morning, Assistant Fire Chief David Douglas said that roughly 25 percent of the buildings in the affected area -- Little Santee Road, Triad Drive, Capital Drive and Standard Drive – sustained moderate to severe damage. Crews conducting the assessments found no victims.

At 11:30 am, Police will set up an access point at Triad Center Road at Thatcher Road for business owners who have businesses along Industrial Village Road, including Westcliff Road and Key Boulevard. Officers will allow one person per business to enter the area to secure their businesses. The business representatives who enter the area will be allowed to stay in the area for one hour. At that time, Police will open a second part of the damaged area to allow other business representatives to enter so they can secure their businesses in the 8300 block of Triad Center Drive and Landmark Drive. All access will be allowed only from Triad Center Road at Thatcher Road. There is no current plan to open areas west of Triad Drive and Industrial Village Road as Fire is currently assessing structural integrity of those businesses.

Business representatives must show business identification at the access point before they will be allowed to enter the area. Business representatives who are allowed to enter the area should be aware that there is a tree down on Industrial Village Road.

Douglas said there is no power in the affected area, and Duke Power is bringing in additional resources to restore electricity as quickly as possible.

The area will remain closed to the general public at least through the remainder of the day, Douglas said, so that power crews can complete their work as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, the following City of Greensboro staff telephone numbers are being provided for business owners affected by Thursday night’s severe storms:
•   For building-related issues, structural problems or requests for restoration of services that involve safety issues, call David Jones at 451-4006.
•   For electrical issues, call Pat Rose at 451-3964.

These phones will be staffed this weekend to respond to the needs of businesses in the affected areas.

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The City of Greensboro works in partnership with the community to build an increased quality of life for all residents by fostering an environment where inclusion, diversity, and trust are valued. As the seventh largest employer in Greensboro, the City has a dedicated professional staff of 2700 employees who maintain four core values of honesty, integrity, stewardship, and respect. The City of Greensboro is governed by a council-manager form of government where a mayor and eight council members act as the legislative body. For more information on the City of Greensboro, please visit us online at www.greensboro-nc.gov.