Salisbury, N.C. - Hurricane Florence is expected to dump heavy rain in the Charlotte region, particularly in Rowan County.
Crews with the city of Salisbury spent Tuesday clearing more than 2000 storm grates before the hurricane moves into town.
Salisbury's assistant public services director, Craig Powers, said crews are also opening up the grates and pumping water in to flush out any debris blocking the pipes.
"We're just trying to do all we can to prepare as much on the front end," Powers said. "That way, we don't have as much to do if the storm does hit us hard."
The city and Novant Health Rowan Medical Center are also installing sand bags and other barriers around the hospital's operation rooms, which got flooded during a period of heavy rain last August.
Rowan County has already declared a state of emergency and activated its emergency operations center.
