WHEREAS, Hurricane Helene ("Helene") is and will continue to cause significant impacts to the State of North Carolina and the southeastern United States; and
WHEREAS, Helene is likely to have a significant impact on Clay County, NC and the Town of Hayesville, including potential for significant damage to public and private property while potentially disrupting essential utility services and systems; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency via Executive Order 315 on September 25, 2024 due to the anticipated impacts from Helene consistent with
N.C. Gen. Stat. §§166A-19.3(6) and 166A-I 9.3(20); and
WHEREAS, the latest Situation Overview from the National Weather Service out of Morristown, TN, continues to call for a High Impact Weather Event for our area throughout the remainder of today into tomorrow, and
WHEREAS, the latest forecast calls for heavy rain, an extreme risk of life-threatening flash flooding along with steadily increasing winds Thursday night into Friday morning, and
WHEREAS, as a result of the above-described forecast, it has been determined that there is an imminent threat of, or existing conditions have caused or may cause, widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property; and
WHEREAS, Clay County Emergency Service and Public Safety Personnel have been meeting regularly as needed in advance of the storm, preparing and implementing protocols and procedures for the impending weather event, and
WHEREAS, Personnel and Leadership from the Clay County Sheriff's Office, Clay County EMS, Clay County Fire and Rescue, Clay County 911, Clay County Health Department, Clay County Social Services, Clay County Maintenance, Clay County Schools, and County Administration will continue to be in constant contact and communication, and
WHEREAS, in consultation with the professionals noted above and based upon guidance from the respective agencies and organizations, arrangements have been made to take actions as are deemed necessary and appropriate to protect the citizens of Clay County and the Town of Hayesville from the effects of Helene.
NOW THEREFORE, and pursuant to the authority vested in me as the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Clay County, NC, under Article lA of Chapter 166A of the North Carolina General Statutes and Clay County Emergency Management Ordinance of the Clay County Code of Ordinances:
Section 1: A State of Emergency is hereby declared within the jurisdiction of Clay County. This also includes the Town of Hayesville upon Verbal Agreement from Mayor Joe Slaton
Section 2. The emergency area covered by this state of emergency shall be for the entire county of Clay including the Town of Hayesville.
Section 3. I hereby order all Clay County law enforcement officers, employees, and all other emergency management personnel subject to our control to cooperate in the enforcement and implementation of the provisions of this Declaration, all applicable local ordinances, state and federal laws, and the Clay County Emergency Operations Plan.
Section 4. I hereby order this declaration: (a) to be distributed to the news media and other organizations calculated to bring its contents to the attention of the general public; (b) to be filed with Clerk to the Clay County Board of Commissioner's and (c) to be distributed to others as necessary to ensure proper implementation of this declaration.
Section 5. This declaration shall take effect on September 26, 2024 at 12:00PM and shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded. Clay County's Local State of Emergency, to include the entire county of Clay including the Town of Hayesville, maintains the ability to amend such declaration at any time as seen fit by the elected Board of Commissioners, in conjunction and consultation with our Emergency Management and Public Safety Personnel.
DECLARED
(Dr. Rob Peck Chairman Board of Commissioner's)