NCDOT informs residents using Twitter

RALEIGH, N.C. (WAVY) - The North Carolina Department of Transportation is urging the public to follow the latest travel conditions on their Twitter page during Hurricane Irene.

NCDOT has 18 Twitter feeds with real-time information. A news release from NCDOT, said that they immediately send out tweets alerting the affected areas about road closures, flooding, dangerous driving conditions and evacuation routes. It also posts schedule changes for ferries and passenger trains .

NCDOT maintains Twitter feeds for the coastal areas of the state and those likely to feel the effects of Hurricane Irene. NCDOT also has Twitter feeds for regions and cities including the mountains, Charlotte , and the Triangle , in addition to feeds for Interstates 26 , 85 , 40 , 77 and 95 .

Visit www.ncdot.gov/travel/twitter for a full list of feeds.

The release said NCDOT Twitter feeds provide easy access to travel information for North Carolina residents.

They also provide out-of-state visitors, who may not know who to contact in an emergency, with updated information.

Twitter is accessible on hand-held devices even if traditional telephone service and electricity is disrupted.

Citizens are also encouraged to use the department’s other social media tools – Facebook , Flickr and YouTube – for valuable transportation information.

For general information about hurricane preparation and updates, follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter ( @NCEmergency ).