On the recordJuly 28, 2021
I rise today to recognize the distinguished service of Michael ``Mike'' Sprayberry who will be retiring as director of North Carolina Emergency Management on August 1, 2021. Every citizen of North Carolina is indebted to Mike for his tireless efforts over the last 16 years to respond and rebuild following the countless disasters big and small that the State has faced. Since his appointment as deputy director for North Carolina Emergency Management in 2005 and subsequent elevation to director in 2013, his department has been called upon to respond to 32 Federal emergency and disaster declarations, ranging from hurricanes and tornadoes to fuel shortages and a global pandemic. Throughout his time, he has served under four Governors and provided steady leadership to ensure that the State of North Carolina is prepared to respond to any crisis at all times. While being charged with running emergency management operations for a large State is never easy, the last 5 years would have been an insurmountable challenge to almost anyone except to Mike Sprayberry. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew slowly crawled up the southeastern coast bringing record setting rain across nearly half of the State. While many had termed Hurricane Matthew a once in a generation event, less than 2 years later Hurricane Florence stalled along the coast once again bringing historical rains.…
