Residents across central North Carolina have been searching for bottled water and other provisions ahead of the expected arrival of Hurricane Florence later this week. Orange Water and Sewer Authority said on Tuesday evening that tap water will remain safe to drink, even if the power is knocked out during the storm.

OWASA is the water utility serving the Chapel Hill – Carrboro area.

The Category 4 storm has been creeping across the Atlantic Ocean over the last few days. Forecasts have projected the storm to make landfall along the North Carolina coast on Friday. The latest models have been projecting the storm will take a track further south as it approaches the Tar Heel State but heavy rains and winds are still expected to threaten central North Carolina.

Emergency officials have been urging residents to be prepared to be without power for several days. That includes having an emergency preparedness kit with water, food, medications, flashlights, batteries and other materials needed to sustain potential power outages.

While OWASA officials said water will remain safe to drink in the event of a power outage, other factors could limit the ability to deliver clean water during the storm.

“If OWASA’s infrastructure is damaged, for example, if an uprooted tree hits a water pipe, it may affect our ability to ensure an adequate supply of drinking water,” officials said in a release.

OWASA is storing extra fuel for generators, topping up supplies at treatment plants and reviewing safety and storm recovery procedures with staff ahead of the storm’s arrival, according to a release.

You can get more information from the water utility here.

The Town of Hillsborough issued a similar message to its residents late Wednesday morning. You can read more about Hillsborough’s water service here.

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