BEAUFORT, N.C. (WITN) - Stephen Rea had been the Emergency Services Director in Carteret County since 2017, but was fired Tuesday, leaving residents concerned about whether the county has a plan in place.

“When it’s during hurricane season and you may not have a director at the helm, it calls for concern. If things get bad, having someone who could really point us in the right direction of recovery and prevention is a very important factor,” Beaufort resident Greg Moss said.

“Well, it’s extremely important for people’s safety and well-being. Especially with a lot of new people here in town that have not experienced hurricanes before,” Atlantic Beach resident Charissa Lewis said.

County manager Sharon Griffin has appointed Eddie Lewis, the current county fire marshal, as interim director

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