WHEREAS, information from the National Weather Service and other sources have predicted that storms and rainfall in Western North Carolina is expected to impact the region, such that a Flash Flood Warning has been issued for our area on May 26, 2022 as the area has received heavy rainfall prior to this weather system’s impact; and

WHEREAS, said weather system has been forecasted to produce heavy rainfall where accumulation of such severity as to cause the potential for widespread landslides and flooding, leading to power outages, damage to infrastructure and unsafe road conditions; and that such conditions are forecasted to exist in Haywood County; and

WHEREAS, the weather conditions associated with flash flooding constitutes an imminent threat of injury and/or loss of life and/or property; and

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, does hereby proclaim that a State of Emergency exists 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during this emergency, and that the same shall be in effect within Haywood County until this Proclamation expires or is rescinded by the Haywood County Board of Commissioners.

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)

1. 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.

2. 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. 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 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 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 Proclamation shall be effective as of 3:20 pm on May 26, 2022 and shall remain in effect unless rescinded pursuant to Chapter 31 of the Haywood County Code of Ordinances.