SUPERCEDING PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY
The following Amended Proclamation is issued by the Chairman of the Haywood County Board of Commissioners, joined by the mayors of the municipalities within the county, as set out below:
WHEREAS, Hurricane Helene has devastated the residents of Haywood County, which has been operating under a Proclamation of State of Emergency since issued by the undersigned at 5:00 p.m., September 24, 2024; and
WHEREAS emergency service personnel from the County and the towns, joined by volunteers, aid workers and personnel from the State and federal governments continue their efforts to give relief to the residents; and
WHEREAS transportation and communication facilities remain compromised in many areas and will require continuing, extraordinary efforts to restore; and
WHEREAS the capabilities of public safety institutions are strained by the limitations of blocked and compromised streets and highways; and
WHEREAS the foregoing conditions constitute an imminent threat of injury and/or loss of life and/or property; and
WHEREAS the original Proclamation remains necessary in most of its provisions, but certain other provisions may now be safely revised or eliminated.
NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority contained in Article IA of N.C.G.S. § Chapter 166A, Article 36A of N.C.G.S. § Chapter 14, and Chapter 31 of the Haywood County Code of Ordinances, I, Chairman L. Kevin Ensley of the Haywood County Board of Commissioners, hereby proclaim that a State of Emergency continues to exist within Haywood County.
I further proclaim that the directions set forth below, which are authorized by Chapter 31 of the Haywood County Code of Ordinances, are necessary in order to maintain an acceptable level of public order, services, and protection of lives, safety and property during this emergency, and that the same shall be in effect within Haywood County until this Proclamation expires, is amended, or is rescinded as by law provided.
I further proclaim by and with the consent of the mayors of the municipalities within Haywood County, that a local state of emergency applies within the municipal limits of the Town of Waynesville, the Town of Clyde, the Town of Canton and the Town of Maggie Valley.
I hereby order all county employees and all other emergency management personnel subject to the authority granted to me as the Chairman of the Haywood County Board of Commissioners to cooperate in the enforcement and implementation of the emergency ordinances set forth below.
A. Access to Restricted Areas. (Chapter 31 §31.07)
I. The Director of Emergency Management and any staff may restrict or deny access to any area, location, or street where such a restriction is necessary in order to help overcome this emergency or to prevent the emergency from worsening. These restrictions on access shall be indicated by means of barricades, posted notices, and/or orders to anyone in the area.
II. No person shall obtain access or attempt to obtain access to any area, location, or street to which Emergency Management has restricted access according to the above directive.
B. Sheltering. (Chapter 31 §31.05) I have determined that, in the best interest of public safety and protection, it is necessary to activate temporary shelters. These locations shall be activated as needed and duly advertised to impacted areas as soon as possible.
C. Movement of people in public places (Chapter 31, § 31.08) The travel in vehicles on the public streets and highways between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. is prohibited except for essential workers going to and from their place of employment, supply vehicles, and official vehicles. The Sheriff and all law enforcement personnel present in the county are authorized to exercise the authority of this section.
D. Debris Removal and Infrastructure. (Chapter 31 §31.05) County employees shall cooperate with NC DOT and other debris removal/infrastructure entities to ensure the safe and efficient restoration of essential services, such as, but not limited to power, water, roadway access and medical supplies as needed.
I further proclaim that the Emergency Management Plan adopted by Haywood County, and all applicable mutual assistance compacts and agreements are in effect and shall remain in effect until this proclamation expires or is rescinded by the Haywood County Board of Commissioners. All Emergency Management personnel and county employees are hereby ordered to cooperate in the implementation of the provisions of the Haywood County's Emergency Operations Plan and all applicable mutual assistance compacts and agreements, and to furnish assistance thereunder.
I direct that copies of this Superseding Proclamation be disseminated to municipalities and mass communications media for publication and broadcast, and that a copy of this Proclamation be posted in the County Manager's Office, on the Haywood County website and other public buildings as appropriate.
This Superseding Proclamation shall be effective as of 5 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024 and shall remain in effect unless rescinded pursuant to Chapter 31 of the Haywood County Code of Ordinances.
s/ L. Kevin Ensley
L. Kevin Ensley, Chairman
Haywood County Board of Commissioners
s/ Amy L. Stevens
Amy L. Stevens, Clerk to the Board Haywood County Board of Commissioners
s/ Jim Trantham
Mayor, Town of Clyde
s/ Zeb Smathers
Mayor, Town of Canton
s/ Mike Eveland
Mayor, Town of Maggie Valley
s/ Gary Caldwell
Mayor, Town of Waynesville
PROCLAMATION