Following the lead of the governor, Hertford County officials have declared a localized State of Emergency.

Hertford County Manager Loria Williams said this morning (Friday) that the declaration was signed late Thursday night.

In essence, the State of Emergency is a mandatory countywide curfew of 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. as well as prohibiting the sale of all alcoholic products. All ABC stores in the county are closed today.

It is not known at this time when the curfew will be lifted.

“We’ll reassess the situation early this afternoon,” Williams said. “What we opted to do Thursday night was all about making the best effort to keep people safe and off the flooded roads.”

Despite a few isolated showers Friday morning, the weather system that dumped heavy rain throughout Hertford County has moved north and out of the area.

“The rain has stopped, but the local streams, creeks and rivers are still rising,” Williams said. “We know they will continue to rise, so the worst of this is far from over.”