Buncombe County declares state of emergency

Text from Buncombe County declaration:

The following declaration is issued by Board of Commissioners of Buncombe County:

WHEREAS, Buncombe County is under imminent threat of a severe winter storm which is expected to impact the area beginning Saturday afternoon December 8, 2018.

WHEREAS, Governor Roy Cooper has signed a State of Emergency declaration allowing him to mobilize resources including State emergency management, transportation, health experts and others in preparation for probable impacts resulting from this winter storm, and which will influence public safety and transportation over the next several days.

WHEREAS, it is anticipated that 13 or more inches of snow may fall in Buncombe County between Saturday, December 8, 2018 and Monday, December 10, 2018.

WHEREAS, in the judgment of Buncombe County Emergency Management personnel, arrangements must be made immediately to implement plans for the prevention of, preparation for, response to, and recovery from any and all emergency situations that may result from the impacts of this storm.

WHEREAS, the implementation of such Emergency Management plans will allow sufficient personnel to be mobilized and positioned in order to:

a) Reduce vulnerability of people and property of Buncombe County to damage, injury, and loss of life and property;

b) Prepare for prompt and efficient rescue, care, and treatment of threatened or affected persons;

c) Coordinate with state and federal agencies for the orderly rehabilitation of persons and restoration of property; and

d) Provide for cooperation and coordination of activities relating to emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery among agencies and officials of Buncombe County, and with similar agencies and officials of other counties, with state and federal governments, with interstate organizations, and with other private and quasi-official organizations.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority contained in Ch. 21, Buncombe County Code of Ordinances and Article 1A of the N.C.G.S. Chapter 166A, the Board of Commissioners, do hereby declare a Local State of Emergency for Buncombe County starting at 12:00 noon on Saturday, December 8, 2018 and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.

By and with the consent of the mayors of the municipalities within Buncombe County this Declaration of Local State of Emergency applies within the municipal limits of the City of Asheville, the Town of Weaverville, the Town of Woodfin, the Town of Black Mountain, the Town of Montreat, and the Town of Biltmore Forest.

It is further declared that the Emergency Management Plan adopted by Buncombe County, and that all applicable mutual assistance compacts and agreements are in effect and shall remain in effect until this Declaration expires or is rescinded. All emergency management personnel are hereby ordered to cooperate in the implementations of the provisions of the County’s Emergency Management Plan and all applicable mutual assistance compacts and agreements, and to furnish assistance thereunder.

We direct that copies of this Declaration be disseminated to the mass communications media for publication and broadcast, and that a copy of this Declaration be posted at the County Courthouse and other public buildings as appropriate.

This declaration shall apply to Buncombe County as described above and be effective from 12:00 noon on Saturday, December 8, 2018 and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 unless rescinded earlier.

Adopted this the 7th day of December, 2018.