CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A new study from AAA found that more North Carolinians are hesitant to evacuate this hurricane season over concerns of COVID-19.
According to AAA, 23% of people polled said they're more concerned about the 2020 hurricane season than they were last year, and they're less likely to evacuate their homes because they're worried about getting coronavirus. AAA's study also found that over half (59%) of people don't have a long-term hurricane readiness plan.
The North Carolina coast could be impacted late this weekend or early next week by Hurricane Isaias, which is expected to move up the Atlantic coast of Florida this weekend. First Warn Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich currently has the Carolina coast under a high risk for impacts from Isaias.
"If you are on the coast or going to the coast Sunday night until Tuesday morning be ready for tropical storm conditions," Panovich tweeted Friday.
"As a coastal state it's important to adhere to the advice of officials when it comes to evacuating," said Tiffany Wright, spokesperson for AAA of the Carolinas. "However, this year there's added fear about the dangers of COVID-19 as some North Carolinians would rather stay in their homes than evacuate."
RELATED: How to report a power outage