News and Weather Briefing for Saturday, October 31, 2020

OUTLOOK

Cool high pressure will build into the region today before a cold front moves across Sunday, ushering in chilly conditions Sunday night and Monday. Dry high pressure will then linger across the area through midweek.



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General forecast through Sunday night


Today Frost Advisory This Morning

Patchy fog before 9am. Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with highs in the low-to-mid 50s in the higher elevations ti near 60 in the lower elevations. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Halloween Night

A 20 percent chance of showers after 3am. Increasing clouds, with lows rasnging from the mid-30s in the higher elevations to the low-to-mid 40s in the lower elevations. Calm winds.

Sunday

Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with highs ranging from the lower 50s in the higher elevations to near 60 in the lower elevations. Light and variable winds in the morning increasing to come out of the northwest 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with lows ranging from the lower 20s in the higher elevations to the upper 20s in the lower elevations. Wind chills will be below 20 in most locations. Winds out of the northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Monday

Sunny, with highs ranging from the mid-40s in the higher elevations to the mid-50s in the lower elevations.

Monday Night

Clear, with lows ranging from near 20 in the higher elevations to near 30 in the lower elevations.




News Brief


This is the season to give to Toys for Tots. The Smoky Mountain Chapter is accepting donations. [LINK] Cowee Volunteer Fire Department will be holding a Benefit for Junior Firefighter Dakota Collins on Saturday, November 7th. [LINK]

The remnants of Hurricane ZETA passed through Macon County Wednesday leaving thousands without electrical service. Macon Media hosted an open thread on Facebook [LINK] and posted coverage of events as they happened. [LINK]


POWER OUTAGE REPORT
(prepared at 5:00am)

Neighboring States

GA 139,961
NC 70,885
SC 42,428
Neighboring Counties

Macon 1,003 (3.55%)
Rabun 5,628 (36.01%)
Clay 87 (0.91%)
Cherokee 170 (0.99%)
Graham 4 (0.06%)
Swain 31 (0.27%)
Jackson 109 (0.38%)

If you have to be out on the roads, please be careful and watch for trees on the roads and standing water. If you see downed lines, don't touch them or try to move them. Call 911 to report them if they are a hazard or in the roadway.
Call Duke Energy at 800.769.3766 or Haywood EMC at 828-452-2281 or toll free at 1-800-951-6088 where you will find a recorded phone greeting of any outages that may be in your area. If you do not hear your specific outage announced, please wait to speak with a customer service representative to notify us of your outage.

Rolling Rallay for Trump Scheduled for Today This will be the final Rolling Rally before Election Day on Tuesday, November 3rd

When: Saturday, October 31,2020 meeting at 8:30 a.m. to start decorating and roll out at 9:30 a.m.
Where: Starting point is Macon County Fairgrounds - 1436 Georgia Road Franklin, NC (across from Zaxby's)

Rally will be traveling to Maggie Valley to meet up with other counties as part of Operation MAGA. See the national website at https://www.magadragtheinterstate.com

Please respond by text preferably to John Shear! below. For more info contact him at 342-6289 and please leave name and phone number. The NC State Board of Election reminds us that voter intimidation is against the law [LINK] 

NCDHHS has issued guidance for Halloween activities during #COVID19. It's strongly recommended that alternate activities, instead of door-to-door trick-or-treating, take place. Find out which activities are considered low risk & which should be avoided: [PDF]  

NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Fall-Related Events [PDF] 

Here are the latest COVID-19 Numbers and Demographics Report from Macon Public Health, along with a couple of charts by Macon Media to show you the long-term trends since May 30, 2020, when the health department started releasing numbers to Macon Media.


Cases

762 Detected
(+3 from Thursday and +24 from last Friday and +113 in four weeks)

26 Active
(-3 from Thursday and -9 from last Friday and -7 in four weeks)

729 Recovered
(+6 from Thursday and +33 from last Friday and +120 in four weeks)

7 Deaths
(unchanged from Thursday and unchanged from last Friday and unchanged in four weeks)


Testing

6446 by MCPH
(+58 from Thursday and +188 from last Friday and +676 in four weeks)

3086 by Others
(unchanged from Thursday and +280 from last Friday and +826 in four weeks)

9532 total
(+58 from Thursday and +465 from last Friday and +1502 in four weeks)

184 tests pending results
(+58 from Thursday and +1 from last Friday and +47 in four weeks)

HAZARDS


While hazardous weather is not expected today, hazardous conditions do exist in the county as power lines and trees and tree limbs are still down. If you see downed lines, don't touch them or try to move them. Call 911 to report them if they are a hazard or in the roadway. Call Duke Energy at 800.769.3766 or Haywood EMC at 828-452-2281 or toll free at 1-800-951-6088 where you will find a recorded phone greeting of any outages that may be in your area. If you do not hear your specific outage announced, please wait to speak with a customer service representative to notify us of your outage.

Frost Advisory
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
342 AM EDT Sat Oct 31 2020
...FROST ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EDT THIS MORNING...

* WHAT...The combination of temperatures in the mid 30s, clear skies, and light winds will result in frost formation.

* WHERE...The mountains and foothills of northeast Georgia and western North Carolina.

* WHEN...Until 10 AM EDT this morning.

* IMPACTS...Frost could kill sensitive outdoor vegetation if left uncovered.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.



Air Quality

Air quality is in the middle range of green today for all elevations.

Pollen

Pollen levels are expected to be low (1.7 out of 12) with ragweed and chenopods being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be bout the same (1.7 out of 12).


Weather Extremes for Macon County for October 31st

Highest Temperature 84°F in Franklin in 1950
Lowest Temperature 15°F in Highlands in 1917
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 3.30 inches in Nantahala in 1949 Greatest One-Day Snowfall 0.7 inches in Highlands in 2012

TROPICAL WEATHER
(The North Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1st to Nov 30th)

Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Sat Oct 31 2020

For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

1. A tropical wave located over the eastern and central Caribbean Sea is producing a concentrated area of showers and thunderstorms. This system is slowly becoming better organized, and conditions appear conducive for further development. A tropical depression is likely to form this weekend as the system moves westward across the central and western Caribbean Sea. Regardless of development, this system is expected to produce heavy rainfall across portions of the ABC islands and Jamaica through the weekend.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...high...80 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...high...90 percent.







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Published at 5:00am Saturday, October 31, 2020

Read More

News and Weather Briefing for Friday, October 30, 2020

OUTLOOK

Drier and cooler conditions will return to the area today, with brisk winds continuing thru the day. A couple shots of cool Canadian air will support below normal temperatures with possible frost or freeze conditions this weekend into early next week. Temperatures start to rebound by the middle of next week.



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Carrion Tree Service is underwriting Macon Media for today. they are a fully licensed and insured tree service, specializing in dangerous tree removal, view clearing, pruning, and crane services with a 24 Hour emergency response.

Their phone number is 371-4718.

They can handle all your tree removal needs in good or bad weather.



Weather Sponsor



Adams Products, a Division of Oldcastle is underwriting the daily weather briefing & public safety updates for the month.

Open 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, M-F, located at 895 Hickory Knoll Road, Franklin, NC. Visit our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Adams.Oldcastle.Franklin.NC/

All your masonry needs are available. Our phone number is 828.524.8545, the public is welcome, we’ll help you with your next project.


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General forecast through Sunday night


Today Wind Advisory Until Noon

Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with highs ranging from the lower 50s in the higher elevations to the upper 50s in the lower elevations. Winds out of the northwest 15 to to 20 mph with gusts around 30 mph in the higher elevations and around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph in the lower elevations.

Tonight

Patchy frost after 3am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with lows ranging from around 30 in the higher elevation to the mid-30s in the lower elevations. WInds out of the northwest around 5 mph becoming calm before midnight.

Saturday

Patchy frost before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with highs in the lower 50s in the higher elevations to near 60 in the lower elevations. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy, with lows ranging from the lower 30s in the higher elevations to around 40 in the lower elvations. Calm winds.

Sunday

A slight chance of showers before 9am. Mostly sunny, with highs ranging from the upper 50s in the higher elevations to the mid-60s in the lower eleations. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with lows ranging from the mid-20s in the higher elevatiuons to around 30 in the lower elevations.




News Brief


Cowee Volunteer Fire Department will be holding a Benefit for Junior Firefighter Dakota Collins on Saturday, November 7th. [LINK]

The remnants of Hurricane ZETA passed through Macon County yesterday leaving thousands without electrical service. Macon Media hosted an open thread on Facebook [LINK] and posted coverage of events as they happened. [LINK]


POWER OUTAGE REPORT
(prepared at 4:10am)

Neighboring States

GA 367,769
NC 192,511
SC 93,093
Neighboring Counties

Macon 2,318 (8.22%)
Rabun 15,277 (97.74%)
Clay 404 (4.21%)
Cherokee 2,409 (14.43%)
Graham 248 (3.91%)
Swain 432 (3.73%)
Jackson 625 (2.18%)

If you have to be out on the roads, please be careful and watch for trees on the roads and standing water. If you see downed lines, don't touch them or try to move them. Call 911 to report them if they are a hazard or in the roadway.
Call Duke Energy at 800.769.3766 or Haywood EMC at 828-452-2281 or toll free at 1-800-951-6088 where you will find a recorded phone greeting of any outages that may be in your area. If you do not hear your specific outage announced, please wait to speak with a customer service representative to notify us of your outage.

The NC State Board of Election reminds us that voter intimidation is against the law [LINK] 

NCDHHS has issued guidance for Halloween activities during #COVID19. It's strongly recommended that alternate activities, instead of door-to-door trick-or-treating, take place. Find out which activities are considered low risk & which should be avoided: [PDF]  

NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Fall-Related Events [PDF] 

Here are the latest COVID-19 Numbers and Demographics Report from Macon Public Health, along with a couple of charts by Macon Media to show you the long-term trends since May 30, 2020, when the health department started releasing numbers to Macon Media.


Cases

759 Detected
(+1 from Wednesday and +29 from last Thursday and +110 in four weeks)

29 Active
(-2 from Wednesday and unchanged from last Thursday and -4 in four weeks)

723 Recovered
(+3 from Wednesday and +29 from last Thursday and +114 in four weeks)

7 Deaths
(unchanged from Wednesday and unchanged from last Thursday and unchanged in four weeks)


Testing

6388 by MCPH
(unchanged from Wednesday and +200 from last Thursday and +618 in four weeks)

3086 by Others
(+204 from Wednesday and +355 from last Thursday and +826 in four weeks)

9474 total
(+204 from Wednesday and +555 from last Thursday and +1444 in four weeks)

126 tests pending results
(-31 from Wednesday and +13 from last Thursday and -11 in four weeks)

HAZARDS


A Wind Advisory will be in effect for Macon County until noon today. A copy of the advisory is posted below this segment.

The remnants of Hurricane ZETA passed through Macon County yesterday, with a combination of wind and rain knocking over thousands of trees, many of them falling onto powerlines leaving at one point over 6,000 Maconians without electrical service. As of 3am (when this was written), there are still 2,318 electrical customers out of power. Duke Energy and Haywood EMC are working to restore service to their customers.

Please treat any downed power line you see as being energized.

Frost and freeze conditions will be possible in many mountain locations early Saturday morning.

Wind Advisory
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
804 PM EDT Thu Oct 29 2020

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON EDT FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected.

* WHERE...Portions of western North Carolina.

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to noon EDT Friday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Due to recent heavy rainfall and wet soils, a few trees could also be blown down..

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

Air Quality

Air quality is in the middle range of green today for all elevations.

Pollen

Pollen levels are expected to be low (2.4 out of 12) with ragweed and chenopods being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be bout the same (1.5 out of 12).


Weather Extremes for Macon County for October 30th

Highest Temperature 82°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2016
Lowest Temperature 12°F in Highlands in 1910
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 3.54 inches in Highlands in 1918 Greatest One-Day Snowfall 0.0 inches in Highlands in 2017

TROPICAL WEATHER
(The North Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1st to Nov 30th)

Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Fri Oct 30 2020

For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

1. Shower activity associated with a large area of disturbed weather over the Lesser Antilles and the eastern Caribbean Sea has become a little more concentrated this evening. Conditions are expected to be conducive for development of this disturbance during the next few days, and a tropical depression is likely to form by the time the system reaches the western Caribbean Sea early next week.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...40 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...high...80 percent.

Tropical Weather Discussion
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
0605 UTC Fri Oct 30 2020

Tropical Weather Discussion for North America, Central America Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, northern sections of South America, and Atlantic Ocean to the African coast from the Equator to 32N. The following information is based on satellite imagery, weather observations, radar and meteorological analysis.

Based on 0000 UTC surface analysis and satellite imagery through 0540 UTC.

...SPECIAL FEATURES...

Post-Tropical Cyclone ZETA, at 30/0000 UTC, is about 80 nm to the east of the coast of New Jersey. The last forecast/advisory was written by the NHC at 29/2100 UTC. The maximum sustained wind speeds were 45 knots with gusts to 55 knots, according to the last NHC bulletin. The ZETA low pressure center has been absorbed by a frontal boundary. Precipitation: widely scattered to scattered moderate and isolated strong is within 90 nm of the ZETA low pressure center in the N semicircle, and within 90 nm to the north of the accompanying frontal boundary. Scattered moderate to isolated strong also is from 32N to 34N between 76W and 78W, and from 35N to 37N between 72W and 75W. Additional information about this system can be found in High Seas Forecasts. issued by the National Weather Service, under AWIPS header NFDHSFAT1, WMO header FZNT01 KWBC, and online at ocean.weather.gov/shtml/NFDHSFAT1.php.

A Caribbean Sea tropical wave is along 61W/62W, from 19N southward, moving westward 15 knots. Precipitation: widely scattered moderate to isolated strong covers the waters, within 120 nm to the east of the tropical wave and within 100 nm to the west of the tropical wave, from 16N southward to land. The precipitation pattern has become a little more concentrated this evening. The atmospheric conditions are expected to be conducive for development of this disturbance during the next few days. It is likely for a tropical depression to form by the time that the system reaches the western Caribbean Sea early next week. The chance of formation into a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours is medium.

...TROPICAL WAVES...

An Atlantic Ocean tropical wave is along 19W/20W from 10N southward, moving westward 15 knots. Precipitation: isolated moderate is within 240 nm on either side of the tropical wave.

A surface trough is along 12N54W 06N52W. Precipitation: widely scattered to scattered moderate to strong is from 10N to 13N between 46W and 53W.

A Caribbean Sea tropical wave is along 61W/62W, from 19N southward, moving westward 15 knots. Precipitation: widely scattered moderate to isolated strong covers the waters, within 120 nm to the east of the tropical wave and within 100 nm to the west of the tropical wave, from 16N southward to land.

A Caribbean Sea tropical wave is along 69W/70W from 22N southward, moving westward 10 to 15 knots. Precipitation: isolated moderate to locally strong is from 15N in the Caribbean Sea to 25N in the Atlantic Ocean between 65W and 72W. Isolated moderate is elsewhere from the tropical wave westward.

A Caribbean Sea tropical wave is along 83W/84W, from 23N southward, moving westward 15 knots. Precipitation: isolated moderate to locally strong is between 80W and the tropical wave.

...MONSOON TROUGH/ITCZ...

The monsoon trough passes through the coastal plains of Sierra Leone near 07N12W, to 07N15W. The ITCZ continues from 07N15W to 06N24W 05N27W 05N35W 07N40W, and 07N50W. Precipitation: scattered to numerous strong is from 01N to 03N between 24W and 27W, from 07N to 09N between 35W and 40W, and from 04N to 10N between 42W and 48W. Isolated moderate is elsewhere from 20N southward from 60W eastward.

GULF OF MEXICO...

A cold front passes through north central Florida near 30N82W, into the south central Gulf of Mexico near 22N90W, into the northern part of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec of southern Mexico. Precipitation: scattered to numerous strong is to the south and southeast of the line that runs from 20N92W to 19N96W. Isolated moderate is elsewhere within 60 nm to 90 nm to the SE of the cold front.

The current cold front, that extends from northern Florida to the SW corner of the Gulf of Mexico, will move southeast of the area on Friday. Fresh to strong northerly winds are possible in the SW Gulf of Mexico through Friday. A strong cold front will move into the northern Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, and extend from southern Florida to the Yucatan Peninsula on Monday. Fresh to strong north to northeast winds are expected across the region from Sunday through Tuesday.

CARIBBEAN SEA...

Three tropical waves are in the Caribbean Sea. One is along 61W/62W. The second tropical wave is along 69W/70W. The third tropical wave is along 83W/84W. Precipitation is related to each tropical wave. Please, read the SPECIAL FEATURES section for more details.

The monsoon trough is along 10N/11N, from 73W in northern Colombia, beyond Costa Rica. Precipitation: widely scattered moderate to isolated strong is from 15N southward from 75W westward.

Active weather, associated with a tropical wave moving across the Lesser Antilles, will shift westward into the eastern section and the central section of the Caribbean Sea, through Friday night. It is possible that an area of low pressure may form from this tropical wave, in the SW Caribbean Sea, during this weekend.

ATLANTIC OCEAN...

A 1024 mb high pressure center is near 32N26W. Broad surface anticyclonic wind flow covers the Atlantic Ocean from 20N northward.

A cold front will move off the southeastern coast of the U.S.A. tonight. The cold front will extend from near Bermuda to southern Florida on Friday, and then stall and dissipate from 28N65W to the Florida Keys on Saturday. Fresh to strong southerly winds are expected to the east of the front, across the northern waters, through Friday. A strong cold front will sweep across the forecast area, from Sunday night through Tuesday. Expect strong north to northeast winds and building seas, to the NW of the cold front.




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Published at 4:25am Friday, October 30, 2020

Read More

Weather Briefing for Thursday, October 28, 2020

OUTLOOK

Periods of moderate to heavy rainfall and gusty southerly winds will continue through this morning as Tropical Storm Zeta moves through the area. Conditions will rapidly improve this afternoon as Zeta departs with cool and dry weather prevailing in its wake through early next week.

School Announcements Macon County Schools are on a two-hour delay due to concerns about hazardous conditions resulting from the remnants of Hurricane Zeta passing through the area. To keep up-to-date on the situation, follow their Facebook page. [LINK] 



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Weather Sponsor



Adams Products, a Division of Oldcastle is underwriting the daily weather briefing & public safety updates for the month.

Open 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, M-F, located at 895 Hickory Knoll Road, Franklin, NC. Visit our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Adams.Oldcastle.Franklin.NC/

All your masonry needs are available. Our phone number is 828.524.8545, the public is welcome, we’ll help you with your next project.


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General forecast through Saturday night


Today

Tropical storm conditions expected this morning. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Patchy fog before 11am. Highs ranging from the upper 60s in the higher elevations to the mid-70s in the lower elevations. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts in the higher elevations ranging from 1 to 2 inches and between a half and three-quarters of an inch in the lower elevations.

Tonight

A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 4am. Mostly cloudy, with lows ranging from the lower 40s in the higher elevations to the mid-40s in the lower elevations. Light and variable winds out of the west 5 to 15 mph before midnight. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday

Mostly cloudy through midmorning, then gradual clearing, with highs ranging from the lower 50s in the higher elevations to near 60 in the lower elevations. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with lows ranging from near freezing in the higher elevations to the mid-to-upper 30s in the lower elevations. Calm winds.

Saturday

Sunny, with highs ranging from the lower 50s in the higher elevations to near 60 in the lower elevations.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy, with lows ranging from the mid-30s in the higher elevations to near 40 in the lower elevations.




News Brief
(repeat from Saturday)

Cowee Volunteer Fire Department will be holding a Benefit for Junior Firefighter Dakota Collins on Saturday, November 7th. [LINK]

Coronavirus Taskforce Briefing for October 28, 2020: Governor Issues Executive Order to Assist Families Facing Eviction [LINK]

Due to COVID-19 cases within Macon County Animal Services and in preparation to continue essential service delivery at Macon County Public Health, Macon County Animal Services (a section within Macon County Public Health) will be limiting services until at least November 2nd, 2020. [LINK]

The 43rd Prosecutorial District Resumes Jury Trials [LINK]

The NC State Board of Election reminds us that voter intimidation is against the law [LINK] 

NCDHHS has issued guidance for Halloween activities during #COVID19. It's strongly recommended that alternate activities, instead of door-to-door trick-or-treating, take place. Find out which activities are considered low risk & which should be avoided: [PDF]  

NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Fall-Related Events [PDF] 

Here are the latest COVID-19 Numbers and Demographics Report from Macon Public Health, along with a couple of charts by Macon Media to show you the long-term trends since May 30, 2020, when the health department started releasing numbers to Macon Media.

Cases

758 Detected
(+10 from Tuesday and +31 from last Wednesday and +129 in four weeks)

31 Active
(+1 from Tuesday and +3 from last Wednesday and +7 in four weeks)

720 Recovered
(+9 from Tuesday and +28 from last Wednesday and +122 in four weeks)

7 Deaths
(unchanged from Tuesday and unchanged from last Wednesday and unchanged in four weeks)

Testing

6388 by MCPH
(+67 from Tuesday and +210 from last Wednesday and +683 in four weeks)

2882 by Others
(unchanged from Tuesday and +151 from last Wednesday and +677 in four weeks)

9270 total
(+67 from Tuesday and +361 from last Wednesday and +1361 in four weeks)

157 tests pending results
(+67 from Tuesday and +54 from last Wednesday and +37 in four weeks)

HAZARDS

The remnants of HUrricane ZETA will be passing through the area today, so there will be a fair amount of rain and high winds. Be careful on the roadways and slow down in order to avoid hydroplaining and please turn on your headlights so other mororists can see you. The rain is expected to be out of the area around noon (give or take a couple of hours) and the winds may cause some power outages and the rain may cause minor flooding in locations where there are drainage issues and there may be landslides in steep slope locations. The National Weather Serice has issued several weather-related watches and warnings, copies of which are posted below.

Tropical Storm Warning
Zeta Local Watch/Warning Statement/Advisory Number 18
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC AL282020
1106 PM EDT Wed Oct 28 2020

...TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT...

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
- Macon County

* WIND
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Tropical Storm force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 30-40 mph with gusts to 60 mph
- Window for Tropical Storm force winds: until early Thursday afternoon

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 39 to 57 mph
- The wind threat has decreased from the previous assessment.
- PLAN: Plan for hazardous wind of equivalent tropical storm force.
- PREPARE: Last minute efforts to protect property should now be complete. The area remains subject to limited wind damage.
- ACT: Now is the time to shelter from hazardous wind.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Unfolding
- Potential impacts from the main wind event are unfolding.

* FLOODING RAIN
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Flash Flood Watch is in effect - Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 1-3 inches, with locally higher amounts

- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for moderate flooding rain
- The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
- PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for moderate flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are possible.
- PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding.
- ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action may result in serious injury or loss of life.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant
- Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches overflow.
- Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.

* TORNADO
- LATEST LOCAL FORECAST:
- Situation is unfavorable for tornadoes
- THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Tornadoes not expected
- The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
- PLAN: Tornadoes are not expected. Showers and thunderstorms with gusty winds may still occur.
- PREPARE: Little to no preparations needed to protect against tornadoes at this time. Keep informed of the latest tornado situation.
- ACT: Listen for changes in the forecast.

- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None
- Little to no potential impacts from tornadoes.

* FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- https://readync.org

Flash Flood Watch
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1038 PM EDT Wed Oct 28 2020

.Deep tropical moisture will spread over the region tonight as Hurricane Zeta makes landfall over the central Gulf Coast. As Zeta moves across the Deep South tonight, bands of heavy rainfall will develop over the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia. Heavy rainfall coverage will increase over the southern Appalachians Thursday morning as the remnants of Zeta pass overhead. Flash flooding will be possible where the heaviest accumulations occur over the mountains, escarpment, and adjacent foothills. The heavy rainfall and flash flood threat will quickly come to an end Thursday afternoon as Zeta departs the region.

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* portions of northeast Georgia, western North Carolina, and upstate South Carolina, including the following areas,

in northeast Georgia,

Habersham, Rabun, and Stephens.

In western North Carolina,

Avery, Buncombe, Burke Mountains, Caldwell Mountains, Eastern McDowell, Graham, Greater Burke, Greater Caldwell, Haywood, Henderson, Macon, Madison, McDowell Mountains, Mitchell, Northern Jackson, Polk Mountains, Rutherford Mountains, Southern Jackson, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey.

In upstate South Carolina,

Greenville Mountains, Oconee Mountains, and Pickens Mountains.

* through Thursday afternoon

* Deep tropical moisture associated with Zeta will move into the region tonight. Heavy rainfall is expected to develop late tonight across the southern mountains and increase in coverage and intensity over the rest of the mountain and foothill region through Thursday morning as the remnants of Zeta move quickly across the southern Appalachians. Despite the fast storm motion, intense rain rates of 1-3" per hour and total rainfall of 2-4 inches, locally 5+ across favored ridgetops in the southern mountains through Thursday afternoon. Elevated soil moisture and streamflows ahead of Zeta only increases the likelihood of rapid stream rises and flash flooding due to heavy rainfall.

* Rapid rises of area streams are likely with several streams possibly exceeding bankfull, resulting in areas of flash flooding. Expect primary impacts to occur to adjacent low- lying areas that typically flood, including farmland, parks, and low-water crossings. However, an isolated area or two of more significant flash flooding is possible. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of urban areas as well. Isolated debris flows or landslides are possible near steeper slopes that receive 4+ inches of rain. A few mainstem rivers, especially the Little Tennessee, Tuckasegee, Pigeon, and upper French Broad, may also experience minor flooding during the day on Thursday and high river levels may persist into Friday morning.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means there is a potential for rapid onset flooding based on current forecasts. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation and may impact areas that do not typically flood. Please monitor the latest forecasts and be prepared to take action quickly should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

Rainfall of more than five inches in similar storms has been associated with an increased risk of landslides and rockslides. If you live on a mountainside or in a cove at the base of a mountain, especially near a stream, be ready to leave in advance of the storm or as quickly as possible should rising water, moving earth, or rocks threaten. Consider postponing travel along mountain roads during periods of heavy rainfall.

Air Quality

Air quality is in the extreme upper range of green today for all elevations.

Pollen

Pollen levels are expected to be low (0.40 out of 12) with ragweed and chenopods being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be bout the same (2.2 out of 12).


Weather Extremes for Macon County for October 29th

Highest Temperature 81°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2016
Lowest Temperature 16°F in Highlands in 1903
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 5.20 inches in Highlands in 1918 Greatest One-Day Snowfall 0.5 inches in Highlands in 1910

TROPICAL WEATHER
(The North Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1st to Nov 30th)

Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Thu Oct 29 2020

For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on recently downgraded Tropical Storm Zeta, located over central Alabama.

1. A broad area of low pressure is expected to form over the southwestern Caribbean Sea during the next few days. Gradual development of this system is possible thereafter, and a tropical depression could form early next week while the system meanders over the southwestern Caribbean Sea.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...medium...40 percent.

Hurricane Zeta Discussion Number 18
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL282020
1000 PM CDT Wed Oct 28 2020

The center of Zeta made landfall on the Louisiana coast south of Cocodrie at about 4 pm CDT with maximum sustained winds of about 95 kt. Since then, the hurricane has raced across southeastern Louisiana and is now over southeastern Mississippi. While the sustained winds have been coming down, the satellite presentation is actually not very degraded for a system that has been over land for this long, and there have been reports of 100-mph wind gusts during the past couple of hours. The initial wind speed is set to 70 kt on the basis of radar velocities and the decay-SHIPS model.

The hurricane is accelerating tonight toward the northeast or 040/27 kt. While Zeta should continue to weaken due to land effects, strong gusty winds are likely to occur near and east of the center due to the cyclone moving rapidly northeastward, allowing these strong winds to spread well inland. Little change was made to the intensity forecast. Zeta should become extratropical and merge with a front before moving off the Mid-Atlantic coast, eventually merging with a frontal boundary in a couple of days. The official track forecast most closely follows a blend of the model consensus and the GFS, and is faster than the last NHC track.

Note that the wind gust factor for this hurricane is higher than typical for a tropical cyclone, and that is reflected in the Forecast/Advisory product.

KEY MESSAGES:

1. A dangerous storm surge is continuing along portions of the Mississippi and Alabama coastline and will gradually subside in the early morning hours on Thursday.

2. Dangerous hurricane conditions expected to continue for the next few hours near and along the Mississippi and Alabama coastlines. Tropical storm conditions will also continue for portions of the Tropical Storm Warning area along the Alabama and far western Florida Panhandle coasts.

3. Strong, damaging wind gusts, which could cause tree damage and power outages, will spread well inland across portions of southeastern Mississippi, Alabama, northern Georgia, the Carolinas, and southeastern Virginia overnight and Thursday due to Zeta's fast forward speed. Wind gusts could be especially severe across the southern Appalachian Mountains on Thursday.

4. Through Thursday, heavy rainfall is expected from portions of the central U.S. Gulf Coast into the Mid-Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley, southern to central Appalachians, and Mid-Atlantic States near and in advance of Zeta. This rainfall will lead to flash, urban, small stream, and minor river flooding.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT 29/0300Z 31.5N 88.7W 70 KT 80 MPH...INLAND
12H 29/1200Z 35.5N 83.5W 45 KT 50 MPH...INLAND
24H 30/0000Z 39.5N 73.0W 45 KT 50 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
36H 30/1200Z 42.5N 59.0W 45 KT 50 MPH...POST-TROP/EXTRATROP
48H 31/0000Z...DISSIPATED




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Published at 4:50am Thursday, October 29, 2020

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Coronavirus Taskforce Briefing for October 28, 2020 Governor Issues Executive Order to Assist Families Facing Eviction

The Governor held a Coronavirus Taskforce briefing today at 3pm, during which he announced a new executive order (#171) entitled "Assisting North Carolinians at Risk of Eviction."


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When: Saturday, October 31,2020 meeting at 8:30 a.m. to start decorating and roll out at 9:30 a.m.
Where: The starting point is Macon County Fairgrounds - 1436 Georgia Road Franklin, NC (across from Zaxby's)

Rally will be traveling to Maggie Valley to meet up with other counties as part of Operation MAGA. See the national website at https://www.magadragtheinterstate.com

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A video of the briefing is embedded below and below that is a copy of the Executive Order.



Downloadable Copy



ROY COOPER
GOVERNOR

October 28, 2020
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 171

ASSISTING NORTH CAROLINIANS AT RISK OF EVICTION

The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

WHEREAS, on March I 0, 2020, the undersigned issued Executive Order No. 11 6 which declared a State of Emergency to coordinate the State's response and protective actions to address the Coronavirus Disease 2019 ("COVID-19") public health emergency and provide for the health, safety, and welfare of residents and visitors located in North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States issued an emergency declaration for all states, tribes, territories, and the District of Columbia, retroactive to March I, 2020, and the President declared that the COVID-1 9 pandemic in the United States constitutes a national emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 25, 2020, the President approved a Major Disaster Declaration, FEMA-4487-DR, for the State ofNorth Carolina; and

WHEREAS, in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and for the purpose of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the people of North Carolina, the undersigned has issued Executive Order Nos. 11 6-1 22, 124-1 25, 129-131 , 133-1 36, 138-144, 146-153, 155-157, 161-165 and 169-170; and

WHEREAS, more than two hundred sixty-six thousand (266,000) people in North Carolina have had COVID-19, and four thousand two hundred forty-five (4,245) people in North Carolina have died from the disease; and

WHEREAS, as of the date of this Executive Order, and relative to recent weeks, there has been a considerable increase in the COVID-19 daily case counts, an increase in the associated hospitalizations and emergency-department visits for COVID-19-like illnesses, and an increase in the percent of daily case counts that are positive, prompting, most recently, the undersigned to pause the state in Phase 3 of its reopening process; and

WHEREAS, these trends require the undersigned to implement certain measures in order to slow the spread of the virus across the state and protect the neediest North Carolinians from housing loss and housing insecurity; and

Residential Evictions in North Carolina

WHEREAS, in addition to its public health consequences, the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have broadly impacted residential tenants across the state, many of whom have been unable to timely or fully make their rent payments, thereby facing the risk of eviction; and

WHEREAS, residential evictions remove people from their homes, where they are safest during the COVID-19 pandemic, which therefore increases the risk that such people will contract and spread COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, many residential evictions leave people homeless, where they are at heightened risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19 either through unsheltered living situations or through relocation to homeless shelters or other congregate living situations, where they face enhanced risk of contracting COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, because many people are now performing their jobs and receiving schooling from their homes, residential evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic also threaten people's ability to maintain their livelihood and receive education; and

WHEREAS, according to a September 25, 2020 report from the National Council of State Housing Agencies, there are currently an estimated 300,000 - 410,000 renter households in North Carolina unable to pay rent and at risk of eviction, and a projected estimated 240,000 eviction filings in North Carolina by January 2021; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned's administration recognizes that eviction moratoria are not only effective public health measures to control the spread of COVID-19, but that they can also have significant impacts on the economic and socioeconomic realities of many North Carolinians and;

WHEREAS, accordingly, the undersigned's administration has implemented various measures to-date to protect vulnerable populations from residential evictions during the COVID- 19 pandemic, including through the issuance of Executive Order Nos. 124 and 142, which placed a temporary moratorium, through June 20, 2020, on residential evictions for reasons of late payment or nonpayment, and through the creation ofthe Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions Program ("HOPE"), designed to provide financial relief to the neediest of North Carolina families; and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Order Temporarily Halting Residential Evictions WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an order, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 264 of the Public Health Act and 42 C.F.R. § 70.2, and titled "Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions to Prevent the Further Spread of COVID-19," temporarily halting certain residential evictions nationwide, from September 4, 2020 through December 31, 2020 (the "CDC Order"); and

WHEREAS, the CDC Order recognizes that COVID-19 poses a historically unprecedented threat to public health, and that a temporary halt to certain residential evictions "constitutes a reasonably necessary measure to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 throughout the United States"; and

WHEREAS, the CDC Order protects certain residential tenants from eviction for nonpayment of rent under certain conditions; and

WHEREAS, the CDC Order applies to North Carolina and, according to the Order's terms, shall be enforced by federal authorities and cooperating state and local authorities; and

WHEREAS, despite the application of the CDC Order to North Carolina, recent reports have made clear that the CDC Order has been enforced inaccurately and inconsistently in some parts of North Carolina, thereby exposing some tenants to unwarranted eviction and unnecessary hardship; and

WHEREAS, many residential tenants who have been evicted from their homes lack adequate resources and legal representation to assist with any challenges to potentially inaccurate and inconsistent applications of the CDC Order to their particular circumstances; and

WHEREAS, in order to qualify for protection from eviction under the CDC Order, a residential tenant must complete a declaration form, under penalty of perjury, and provide it to his or her landlord, declaring, among other required criteria for eligibility, that the tenant has used best efforts to obtain all government assistance for rent or housing, that the tenant has used best efforts to make timely partial payments that are as close to the full payment as the tenant's circumstances may permit, and that the tenant or tenant's household is below a certain income threshold (the "Declaration"); and

WHEREAS, many residential tenants in North Carolina who would otherwise qualify for eviction protection under the terms of the CDC Order are unaware of the obligation to deliver a completed and signed Declaration to their landlord, and accordingly do not then receive the corresponding protection from eviction under that Order, resulting in unwarranted evictions and unnecessary hardship for many North Carolinians; and

WHEREAS, under the CDC Order, landlords are not required to inform their residential tenants at risk of eviction or in the process of eviction of the CDC Order of the tenants' obligation to provide the landlord with a completed and signed Declaration in order to receive the full scope of protection under the Order; and

WHEREAS, an affirmative obligation on the landlord to provide a residential tenant with a copy of the Declaration form in any action for eviction against that tenant under Article 3 of Chapter 42 of the North Carolina General Statutes will inform and educate residential tenants about their rights under the CDC Order, and may lessen the number ofNorth Carolinians removed from their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, for the same reasons, a landlord must be required to inform the court if a tenant has provided the landlord with a copy of the Declaration, and any Declaration must be filed with the court; and

WHEREAS, to ensure the effective execution of the CDC Order, this Executive Order provides for the modification of residential leases to effectuate certain procedures in the event a tenant's Declaration is filed with the court, and in the event the landlord decides to contest that Declaration; and

WHEREAS, like the CDC Order, this Executive Order does not block evictions for reasons other than nonpayment of rent, interest, late fees, or penalties; and

WHEREAS, the restrictions on evictions under this Executive Order shall extend only during the term of this Executive Order; and

WHEREAS, the CDC Order does not relieve any residential tenant from the obligation to pay rent, make housing payments, or comply with any other obligation that the tenant may have under tenancy, lease or contract, and it does not protect tenants from eviction for reasons of criminal activity, threatening the health or safety of other tenants, or violating building codes or other ordinances; and

WHEREAS, in order to ensure accuracy and consistency in the application of the CDC Order to residential tenants in North Carolina, and to best protect the most vulnerable of North Carolina households during the COVID-19 pandemic, the undersigned desires to (i) clarify that the protections for qualifying residential tenants under the CDC Order shall apply to those qualifying residential tenants in North Carolina and (ii) implement other reasonable and necessary measures to clarify and extend the protections extended by the CDC Order; and

Residential Assistance Program in North Carolina

WHEREAS, the undersigned has established the HOPE program for rent and utility assistance, overseen and administered by the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency, and seeded with Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (''CARES") funding in excess of $11 7 million dollars; and

WHEREAS, the HOPE program, which launched October 15, 2020, is aimed at those residential tenants who have a household median income at or below eighty percent of their area's median income, occupy a rental property as their primary residence, and are behind on rent or utility bills when they apply for monetary assistance; and

WHEREAS, the HOPE program provides monetary assistance to those residential tenants who meet the program's criteria, by way of rent payments made directly to the residential tenant's landlord, for up to six months of rental assistance, and provides protection from eviction for qualifying tenants, provided their landlord executes an agreement not to evict the qualifying tenant for a specified duration of time, in exchange for receipt of funds through the HOPE program (the "'HOPE Landlord-Tenant Agreement"); and

WHEREAS, since the HOPE program became effective, over 22,800 North Carolinians have applied for assistance through the program, underscoring the significant need for rental assistance and eviction protection across the state during the pandemic; and

WHEREAS, as of the date of this Executive Order, the vast majority of HOPE program applicants who have met the eligibility criteria for assistance under that program have not yet received protection from eviction, because their application has not yet advanced to the stage whereby the landlord must execute the required HOPE Landlord-Tenant Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned wishes to extend the protections of this Executive Order to those HOPE program applicants who have met the eligibility criteria for assistance under that program but who have not yet received protection from eviction under the HOPE Landlord-Tenant Agreement; and

Statutory Authority and Determinations

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 116 invoked the Emergency Management Act, and authorizes the undersigned to exercise the powers and duties set forth therein to direct and aid in the response to, recovery from, and mitigation against emergencies; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat.§ 166A-19.10(b)(2), the undersigned may make, amend, or rescind necessary orders, rules, and regulations within the limits of the authority conferred upon the Governor in the Emergency Management Act; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-1 9 .1 0(b )( 4 ), the undersigned is authorized to "cooperate and coordinate" with the President of the United States and the heads of department and other agencies of the federal government; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.10(b)(7), the undersigned is authorized and empowered to utilize the services, equipment, supplies, and facilities of political subdivisions, and their officers and personnel are required to cooperate with and extend such services and facilities to the undersigned upon request; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat.§ 166A-19.30(a)(l), the undersigned may utilize all available state resources as reasonably necessary to cope with an emergency, including the transfer and direction of personnel or functions of state agencies or units thereof for the purpose of performing or facilitating emergency services; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.30(a)(2), during a Gubematorially declared State of Emergency, the undersigned has the power to "give such directions to state and local law enforcement officers and agencies as may be reasonable and necessary for the purpose of securing compliance with the provisions of this Article; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat.§ 166A-19.30(a)(3), the undersigned may take steps to assure that measures, including the installation of public utilities, are taken when necessary to qualify for temporary housing assistance from the federal government when that assistance is required to protect the public health, welfare, and safety; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat.§ 166A-19.30(b)(2), the undersigned, with the concurrence of the Council of State, may establish a system of economic controls over all resources, materials, and services, including shelter and rents; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-l 9.30(b)(4), the undersigned, with the concurrence of the Council of State, may waive a provision of any regulation or ordinance of a state agency or political subdivision which restricts the immediate relief of human suffering; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat.§ 166A-19.30(b)(5), the undersigned, with the concurrence of the Council of State, may perform and exercise such other functions, powers, and duties as are necessary to promote and secure the safety and protection of the civilian population; and

WHEREAS, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.I0(b)(3) further authorizes and empowers the undersigned to delegate Gubernatorial vested authority under the Emergency Management Act and to provide for the sub-delegation of that authority; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned has sought and obtained concurrence from the Council of State consistent with the Governor's emergency powers authority in N.C. Gen. Stat.§ 166A-19.30.

NOW, THEREFORE, by the authority vested in me as Governor by the Constitution and the laws of the State ofNorth Carolina, IT IS ORDERED:

Section 1. Evictions Moratorium.

For the reasons and pursuant to the authority set forth above, the undersigned orders as follows:
A. Protections Apply to all Residential Tenants Who Qualify under the CDC Order.
I. The protections of the CDC Order shall apply to all residential tenants in North Carolina who qualify for protection from eviction under the terms of that Order.
2. Nothing in this Executive Order precludes evictions of tenants for reasons other than nonpayment or late payment of rent (including nonpayment or late payment of fees, penalties or interest).
3. For avoidance of doubt, such protections apply to those qualifying residential tenants regardless of whether or not the rental property is federally subsidized.

Section 2. Landlords' Obligations in any Residential Eviction Action; Application of the CDC Order's Protections.
For the reasons and pursuant to the authority set forth above, the undersigned orders that all residential leases are modified to effectuate the following procedures. These procedures are required only during the effective period of this Executive Order.
A. Obligation to Provide CDC Declaration Form to Residential Tenants in any Action for Eviction. In any action for eviction to recover possession of residential property under Article 3 of Chapter 42 of the North Carolina General Statutes that is commenced on or after the effective date of this Executive Order and before the termination of this Executive Order, the landlord must execute an affidavit and present it to the court certifying that the landlord has provided the residential tenant with a blank copy of the Declaration form.

B. One Declaration per Household. A single Declaration or a single equivalent declaration from a tenant responsible for paying rent under the lease is sufficient to activate the protections of this Executive Order. Notwithstanding any guidance from the CDC to the contrary, separate Declarations are not required from each person living in the home.

C. Result of Filing a Declaration. In actions pending on or commenced after the date of this Executive Order, a landlord who has been provided with a tenant's Declaration pursuant to the CDC Order shall immediately notify the court that such Declaration has been received and shall submit a copy of the Declaration to the court within five (5) days of receipt.

D. Purposes for which Eviction Actions May Proceed. In the event the landlord believes the action should still proceed despite the filing ofthe Declaration, the landlord shall submit to the court a response to the Declaration identifying in writing why the landlord believes the action should still proceed despite the protections ofthe CDC Order. For example, the landlord may respond by indicating that the eviction is for a reason other than nonpayment or late payment of rent. A hearing to determine whether the action should proceed shall be held according to the timeline for hearings for eviction proceedings, or as otherwise established by the court.

E. Writs of Possession.
1. Upon receiving a Declaration, the landlord shall take no actions to request a writ of possession, and the landlord is not entitled to the writ, but the landlord may submit a response to the Declaration as stated above in Subsection D.
2. If a court determines that the eviction should proceed under Subsection D, and ultimately enters a judgment against the tenant, nothing in this Executive Order prohibits a landlord from requesting a writ of possession, and the landlord shall be legally entitled to a writ of possession in those circumstances.

Section 3. Impact of Receipt of Monetary Assistance through the HOPE Program.

For the reasons and pursuant to the authority set forth above, the undersigned orders as follows: The protections from eviction of this Executive Order shall extend to those residential tenants who have applied for the HOPE program and have been notified that they have met the eligibility criteria for participation in the HOPE program, even if those residential tenants would not qualify for protection from eviction under the CDC Order. Once the landlord has executed the HOPE Landlord-Tenant Agreement, the tenant shall be protected from eviction under the terms of that Agreement, and not under this Executive Order.

Section 4. No Private Right of Action.

This Executive Order is not intended to create, and does not create, any individual right, privilege, or benefit, whether substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the State ofNorth Carolina, its agencies, departments, political subdivisions, or other entities, or any officers, employees, or agents thereof, or any emergency management worker (as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat.§ 166A-l 9.60) or any other person.

Section 5. Savings Clause and Interpretation.

A. If any provision of this Executive Order or its application to any person or circumstances is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, this invalidity does not affect any other provision or application of this Executive Order, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application. To achieve this purpose, the provisions of this Executive Order are declared to be severable.

B. The protections stated in this Executive Order are independent from the requirements of the CDC Order and shall be in force regardless of any repeal, recission, amendment, or administrative interpretation of the CDC Order. If any court without jurisdiction over the State ofNorth Carolina enjoins or otherwise blocks or modifies the CDC Order, in whole or in part, this Executive Order shall continue to apply, and this Executive Order shall continue to provide the protections listed in the CDC Order.

Section 6. Distribution.

I hereby order that this Executive Order be:
(I) distributed to the news media and other organizations calculated to bring its contents to the attention of the general public;
(2) promptly filed with the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, the Secretary of State, and the superior court clerks in the counties to which it applies, unless the circumstances of the State of Emergency would prevent or impede such filing; and
(3) distributed to others as necessary to ensure proper implementation of this Executive Order.

Section 7. Enforcement.

A. Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § I66A-l 9.30(a)(2), the provisions of this Executive Order shall be enforced by state and local law enforcement officers.

B. A violation of this Executive Order may be subject to prosecution pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A- 19.30(d), and is punishable as a Class 2 misdemeanor in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § l4-288.20A.

C. Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to preempt or overrule a court order

regarding an individual's conduct (e.g., a Domestic Violence Protection Order or similar orders limiting an individual's access to a particular place).

Section 8. Effective Date.

This Executive Order is effective October 30, 2020, at 5:00 pm. This Executive Order shall remain in effect until December 3 1, 2020 unless repealed, replaced, or rescinded by another applicable Executive Order. An Executive Order rescinding the Declaration of the State of Emergency will automatically rescind this Executive Order.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the Great Seal of the State ofNorth Carolina at the Capitol in the City of Raleigh, this 281h day of October in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty.

Roy Cooper,
Governor


Published at 3:45pm on Wednesday, October 28, 2020

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