(RALEIGH) -- As Hurricane Sandy moves North, northeastern North Carolina counties are still experiencing tropical storm force winds and the storm surge is causing some flooding.  In the western part of the state, Sandy's winds are helping stir up the effects of a winter storm.

 "We have teams ready to respond to any emergency needs on the coast and in the mountains," said Doug Hoell, the state's emergency management director in a press release. "We will continue to stay on top of the situation in both the eastern part and western part of the state and stay on the job until the work is done. We ask for people to continue to monitor their local weather reports and to avoid travelling."

Hurricane Sandy's impacts were being felt throughout eastern North Carolina Sunday afternoon. The hurricane has forced state and local officials to:

• Issue State of Emergency declarations in 40 counties East of I-95 and 24 counties in western North Carolina.
• Close N.C. 12 in Dare County due to sand and water overwash. Soundside flooding north of Ocracoke left between 18 inches and 24 inches of standing water on N.C. 12 north of Ocracoke. The N.C. Department of Transportation has deployed crews to work on sand removal and further assess the roadway.
• Close the Bonner Bridge (Oregon Inlet).
• Open two shelters in Dare County. Shelters previously operating in Carteret and Pamlico counties have been closed.
• Suspended most N.C. Department of Transportation's ferry services until conditions improved. NCDOT road information is available by calling 511 or online at www.ncdot.gov/travel. Weather conditions and U.S. Coast Guard clearance will determine when the ferry services will run.
• Activate 61 National Guard soldiers and put Highway Patrol troopers on standby to respond as necessary to impacted areas statewide.
• Send chainsaw crews to Dare County.