Buncombe County declares ‘Local State of Emergency’

Here’s a copy of the declaration approved by the Buncombe County commissioners:

DECLARATION OF A
LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY

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

WHEREAS, on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, Governor Pat McCrory signed a State of Emergency declaration allowing him to mobilize resources for the snow storm that has hit the state which will influence public safety and transportation over the next couple days.

WHEREAS, it is anticipated that as much as 10 inches of snow may fall in Buncombe County between 12 noon, February 12, 2014 and 6:00 p.m. February 13, 2014.

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 currently exists or 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:
Reduce vulnerability of people and property of Buncombe County to damage, injury, and loss of life and property;

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

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

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 Article 1A of the N.C.G.S. Chapter 166A, and Article 36A of N.C.G.S. Chapter 14, the Board of Commissioners, do hereby declare a Local State of Emergency for Buncombe County starting at 12 noon, February 12, 2014 and ending at 6:00 p.m. February 13, 2014. Such declaration does not include any area within the corporate limits of any municipality, or within any area of the County over which a municipality has jurisdiction to enact general police-power ordinances, unless the municipality’s governing body or mayor consents to or requests the state of emergency’s application.

We further declare 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 and be effective from Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. and said Declaration shall terminate on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. unless rescinded earlier.

Adopted this the 12th day of February, 2014.