CLAY COUNTY, NC  DECLARATION OF A LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY  WHEREAS, Hurricane Helene ("Helene") is and will continue to cause significant impacts to the 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 WHEREAS, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency via Executive Order 315 on September 25, 2024 due tot the anticipated impacts from Helene consistent with 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 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 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 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 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 NOW THEREFORE, and pursuant to the authority vested in me as the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Clay County, NC, under Article 1A of Chapter 166A of the North Carolina General Statutes and Clay County Emergency Management Ordinance of  State of North Carolina and the southeastern United States; and  potentially disrupting essential utility services and systems; and  N.C. Gen. Stat. S5 166A-19.3(6) and 166A-19.3(20); and  today into tomorrow, and  damage, injury, or loss of life or property; and  procedures for the impending weather event, and  continue tol be in constant contact and communication, and  of Hayesville from the effects of Helene.  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 Section 2. The emergency area covered by this state of emergency shall be for the entire Section 3. I hereby order all Clay County law enforcement officers, employees, and all other emergency management personnel subject to our control to cooperate ini the enforcement and implementation oft the provisions oft this Declaration, all applicable local ordinances, state and federal laws, and the Clay County Emergency Operations Section 4. Ihereby order this declaration: (a) to be distributed to the news media and other organizations calculated to bring its contents toi the attention oft 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 ofthis  Joe Slaton  county of Clayi including the Town of Hayesville.  Plan.  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 Commissioners)  A  ATTEST: Clerk  B4 Baadk (NOTE: Notarization is not required)