News and Weather Briefing for Thursday, December 31, 2020

OUTLOOK

Moisture increasing ahead of an approaching cold front will result in steadily increasing rain chances through Friday. Brief drying and very warm conditions are expected behind the departing front on Saturday, but with coastal low pressure along the stalling front likely bringing another round of rain Saturday night. Drier high pressure will return for the early and middle part of next week.

News Highlights

Macon County Public Health released a new schedule for their COVID-19 response. Currently, they are vaccinating people in Phase 1a.

• Three more COVID-19 Deaths in Macon County; Outbreak at Eckerd Living Center [LINK]
• North Carolina and Macon County Currently in Phase 1A of COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-Out [LINK]
• NC Coronavirus Taskforce Briefing for 12-30-2020 (includes Vaccination Schedule by Groups) [LINK]
• An important message from Franklin High School regarding Spring Semester changes [LINK]
• Macon County Board of Education Special Called Meeting Information [LINK]
• Community mourns the passing of beloved, veteran fire chief in North Carolina (Fox Carolina) [LINK]
• Gov. Cooper issued an Executive Order extending North Carolina’s evictions moratorium through January 31, 2021. [LINK]


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General forecast through Saturday night


Franklin area

Today

A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1pm. Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, cloudy, with highs in the mid-50s. Calm winds. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

New Year's Eve

Showers, mainly after 10pm. Patchy fog after 11pm. Lows around 50. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

New Year's Day

Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 5pm. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs near 60. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Friday Night

Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am, then a slight chance of showers between 2am and 4am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-40s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph shifting to come out of the southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday

Partly sunny, with high in the mid-60s.

Saturday Night

A chance of showers between 8pm and 3am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the upper 30s. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Highlands area

Today

A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 9am. Areas of fog before noon, then patchy fog after 4pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with highs in the lower 50s. Winds out of thet southwest 5 to 10 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night

Showers, mainly after 10pm. Widespread fog, mainly after midnight. Lows in the mid-to-upper 40s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.

New Year's Day

Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs in the mid-50s. Winds out of the southeast 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday Night

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 10pm, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-40s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph shifting to come out of the southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday

Partly sunny, witha highs in the mid-50s.

Saturday Night

A chance of showers between 8pm and 3am. Partly cloudy, with lows in the mid-30s. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Otto area

Today

A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 10am. Patchy fog could linger until noon. Otherwise, cloudy, with highs in the mid-50s. Light winds out of the southwest. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night

Showers, mainly after 10pm. Patchy fog after 9pm. Lows around 50. Calm winds increasing to come out of the southeast around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

New Year's Day

Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 4pm. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs near 60. WInds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday Night

Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-40s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph shifting to come out of the southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday

Partly sunny, with highs in the low-to-mid 60s.

Saturday Night

A chance of showers between 8pm and 3am. Partly cloudy, with lows around 40. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Nantahala area

Today

A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 2pm. Patchy fog could last until noon. Otherwise, cloudy, with highs in the mid-50s. Light winds out of the southwest. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night

Showers, mainly after 11pm. Patchy fog after 11pm. Lows around 50. Calm winds increasing to come out of the southeast around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

New Year's Day

Showers. Patchy fog early. Highs near 60. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.

Friday Night

Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1am, then a slight chance of showers between 1am and 4am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid-to-uper 40s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 109 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday

Partly sunny, with highs in the upper 50s.

Saturday Night

A chance of showers between 8pm and 4am. Mostly cloudy, with lows in the upper 30s. Chance of precipitation is 40%.



HAZARDS

Heavy rainfall is possible across the region New Year's Eve and Friday. Localized flooding of streams and main stem rivers, as well as low-lying and poor drainage areas, is possible.






COVID-19 Briefing

Virologists Amy Rosenfeld and Vincent Racaniello answer your COVID-19 questions on this livestream from 12/30/20 (editor's note: Amy is a scientist who does not suffer fools gladly and has no social filter. LOL) 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 April 17th.

Cases

1534 Detected
(+70 from Tuesday and +203 from last Wednesday and +578 in four weeks)

368 Active
(+15 from Tuesday and +113 from last Wednesday and +294 in four weeks)

1154 Recovered
(+52 from Tuesday and +87 from last Wednesday and +281 in four weeks)

12 Deaths
(+3 from Tuesday and +3 from last Wednesday and +3 in four weeks)

Testing

7829 by MCPH
(+100 from Tuesday and +100 from last Wednesday and +776 in four weeks)

5080 by Others

(+166 from Tuesday and +215 from last Wednesday and +1104 in four weeks)

12909 total
(+266 from Tuesday and +315 from last Wednesday and +1880 in four weeks)

90 tests pending results
(+10 from Tuesday and +10 from last Wednesday and -618 in four weeks)

Air Quality

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

Pollen

Pollen levels are expected to be low (0.3 out of 12) with mixed traces of sources being detectable. Tomorrow is expected to be about the same(0.3 out of 12).


Weather Extremes for Macon County for December 31st


Highest Temperature 78°F in Franklin in 1951
lowest Temperature 2°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1983
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 4.34 inches in Highlands in 2012
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 3.0 inches in Franklin in 1963

Weather Extremes for Macon County for the Month of December

Highest Temperature 78°F in Franklin in 1951
lowest Temperature -12°F in Highlands in 1917
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 6.00 inches in Highlands in 1901 Greatest One-Day Snowfall 12.0 inches in Franklin in 1876

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

The North Atlantic Hurricane Season is over for the year. If anything does develop, the information will be posted in this section of the weather briefing.







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Published at 4:205am on Thursday, December 31, 2020

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Three more COVID-19 Deaths in Macon County; Outbreak at Eckerd Living Center

Here are a pair of press releases from Macon Public Health. Three more Maconians have died due to COVID-19 and one staff member and five residents at the Eckerd Living Center have tested positive for COVID-19.

This brings the known death toll to 12 in Macon County.

 The press releases are posted below.

Macon County Public Health Identifies COVID-19 Outbreak

Macon County Public Health has identified a COVID-19 outbreak at Eckerd Living Center. One staff member and five residents have tested positive for COVID-19. All are well and isolated from others. Both facilities have been following the highest levels of Personal Protective Equipment standards while in their facility and especially when working with patients.

All the residents and staff of Eckerd Living Center have been notified of their exposure and will be tested for COVID-19 at the direction MCPH’s Medical Director and the facility’s leadership team. Plans are in place to isolate any other individuals, should there be a positive result. Eckerd Living Center and Macon County Public Health have been working together and have verified that both facilities have all the necessary PPE, sanitizing, and monitoring supplies and guidance they need to assure that any spread is minimal.

Eckerd Living Center will be closed to visitors to slow the risk of spread within the facility and to the community.

. All residents and staff of the facility have been tested and are awaiting results. All residents and staff will be tested every week until there are two consecutive weeks of all negative results. When two consecutive weeks of negative results for all come back, then the facility can begin to allow minimal visitation again. In addition to staff and residents, MCPH is working to identify any additional close contacts of these individuals.

The CDC defines close contact as being within approximately 6 feet of a person with an infection with COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of time of 15 minutes or longer. Based on information provided by theindividual, county health officials will assess risks of exposure, determine which if any additional measures are needed such as temperature and symptom checks, quarantine and/or testing.

The entire state of North Carolina is under a “Safer at Home” executive order, currently under phase three with masks required to be worn when social distancing cannot be maintained. Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19; however, anyone of any age can become infected with this illness. Therefore, we ask that community members strictly follow the governor’s orders and continue to practice social distancing, as well as safe hygiene measures such as hand washing and frequently cleaning touched objects and surfaces. The public can monitor the different phases of re-opening and learn more about the restrictions at https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/guidance.

Symptoms for COVID-19 are fever, cough, other lower respiratory illness (shortness of breath). If you believe that you may have COVID-19, please call the Health Department at 828-349-2517. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am – 4:00pm, closing daily for lunch from 12:00pm – 1:00pm, until further notice.


Macon County Reports Three Deaths Related to COVID-19

Three Macon County residents diagnosed with COVID-19 have passed away. The persons were over the age of 65 and had underlying health conditions. To protect the family ́s privacy, no further information will be released about these patients. These deaths bring Macon County to twelve deaths related to COVID-19.

“The family and loved ones of these individuals are in our thoughts and prayers. With the approaching New Year and as more people stay indoors, our community needs to continue to practice the 3Ws and be mindful of those that are higher risk,” stated Kathy McGaha, Macon County Health Director.

Mrs. McGaha continued, “We can make a difference by wearing a mask, washing our hands, and staying 6 feet from others. Continue to practice social distancing and limit your trips outside your home to help to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

The entire state of North Carolina is under a “Safer at Home” executive order, currently under phase three with masks required to be worn when social distancing cannot be maintained. Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19; however, anyone of any age can become infected with this illness. Therefore, we ask that community members strictly follow the governor’s orders and continue to practice social distancing, as well as safe hygiene measures such as hand washing and frequently cleaning touched objects and surfaces. The public can monitor the different phases of re-opening and learn more about the restrictions at https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/guidance.

It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources. For more information, please visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, which also includes future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.

MCPH regularly updates our Facebook page with accurate and current information regarding COVID-19; we encourage the public to check our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/MaconPublicHealth for up-to-date information.

Symptoms for COVID-19 are fever, cough, other lower respiratory illness (shortness of breath). If you believe that you may have COVID-19, please call the Health Department at 828-349-2517. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am – 4:00pm, closing daily for lunch from 12:00pm – 1:00pm, until further notice.

Read More

NC Coronavirus Taskforce Briefing for 12-30-2020

The Coronavirus Taskforce Briefing took place today shortly after 2pm. During the briefing, Mandy Cohen, the NCDHHS Secretary outline the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan for the state. The video and the outline are posted below.

  ...........................

Covid-19 Vaccinations: Your best shot at stopping COVID-19

You have a spot, take your shot. A tested, safe and effective vaccine will be available to all who want it, but supplies will be limited at first. To save lives and slow the spread of COVID-19, independent state and federal public health advisory committees recommend first protecting health care workers caring for patients with COVID-19, people who are at the highest risk of being hospitalized or dying, and those at high risk of exposure to COVID-19.
 
Keep practicing the 3 Ws —wear a mask, wait six feet apart, wash your hands—until everyone has a chance to get vaccinated.

Phase 1A: Health care workers fighting COVID-19 & Long-Term Care staff and residents.

• Health care workers caring for and working directly with patients with COVID-19, including staff responsible for cleaning and maintenance in those areas
• Health care workers administering vaccine
• Long-term care staff and residents—people in skilled nursing facilities and in adult, family and group homes.

Phase 1b: Adults 75 years or older and frontline essential workers.

There is not enough vaccine for everyone in this phase to be vaccinated at the same time. Vaccinations will be available to groups in the following order.

• Group 1: Anyone 75 years or older, regardless of health status or living situation
• Group 2: Health care workers and frontline essential workers 50 years or older
  The CDC defines frontline essential workers as first responders (e.g., firefighters and police officers), corrections officers, food and agricultural workers, U.S. Postal Service workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, public transit workers, and those who work in the education sector (teachers and support staff members) as well as child care workers.
• Group 3: Health care workers and frontline essential workers of any age

Phase 2: Adults at high risk for exposure and at increased risk of severe illness.

Vaccinations will happen by group in the following order:

• Group 1: Anyone 65-74 years old, regardless of health status or living situation
• Group 2: Anyone 16-64 years old with high-risk medical conditions that increase risk of severe disease from COVID such as cancer, COPD, serious heart conditions, sickle cell disease, Type 2 diabetes, among others, regardless of living situation
• Group 3: Anyone who is incarcerated or living in other close group living settings who is not already vaccinated due to age, medical condition or job function.
• Group 4: Essential workers not yet vaccinated.
  The CDC defines these as workers in transportation and logistics, water and wastewater, food service, shelter and housing (e.g., construction), finance (e.g., bank tellers), information technology and communications, energy, legal, media, and public safety (e.g., engineers), and public health workers.

Phase 3: Students

• College and university students
• K-12 students age 16 and over. Younger children will only be vaccinated when the vaccine is approved for them.

Phase 4: Everyone who wants a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccination.

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Published at 2:28pm on Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Read More

News and Weather Briefing for Wednesday, December 30, 2020

OUTLOOK

Moisture increasing ahead of a front will result in steadily increasing rain chances through the end of the week. Brief drying is expected behind the departing front on Saturday, but with coastal low pressure along the stalling front making the forecast more uncertain during the latter half of the weekend.

News Highlights

• Longtime and Beloved Fire Chief Passes Away From COVID-19 [LINK]

• County Building Evacuated After Odiferous Package Delivery
[INITIAL POST] [PRESS RELEASE]

• Mission Health Restricts Visitation (Including Angel Medical Center and Highlands-Cashiers Hospital) to Protect Patients From Pandemic [LINK]

• Moderna Vaccine Arrives in Macon County [LINK]

• Icy Roads Contribute to Morning Accidents
[Walnut Creek Road] [Readers Report] [Patton Road]

• Flags Lowered in Honor of Former NC State Senator Marc Basnight [LINK]



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General forecast through Friday night


Franklin area

Today

A slight chance of rain or freezing rain before 9am, then a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with highs in the upper 40s. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tonight

A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 4am. Widespread dense fog, mainly after 11pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with lows around 40. Light winds out of the southeast.

Thursday

Showers likely, mainly after 3pm. Areas of fog in the morning. Otherwise, cloudy, with highs in the mid-50s. Light south winds. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

New Year's Eve

Showers. Lows around 50. Light winds out of the southeast increasing and shifting to come out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph before midnight. Winds could gust as high as 208 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

New Year's Day

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High in the lower 60s. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with lows in the mid-40s.

Highlands area

Today

A chance of freezing rain before 9am, then a chance of rain or freezing rain between 9am and 11am, then a chance of rain after 11am. Patchy fog, mainly after 9am. Otherwise, cloudy, with highs near 40. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight

A 30 percent chance of rain. Widespread dense fog, mainly after 10pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with lows in the upper 30s. Winds out of the southwest 5 to 10 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday

Showers likely, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with highs near 50. Winds out of the southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning shifting to come out of the south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

New Year's Eve

Showers. The rain could be heavy at times. Lows in the mid-to-upper 40s. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

New Year's Day

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Highs in the mid-50s. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Friday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers between 8pm and 10pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Partly cloudy, with lows in the mid-40s. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Otto area

Today

A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 11am. Cloudy, with highs in the mid-40s. SWinds out of the south around 5 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight

A 30 percent chance of rain. Widespread dense fog, mainly after 11pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with lows around 40. Winds out of the south 3 to 5 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday

Showers likely, mainly after 2pm. Areas of fog in the morning. Otherwise, cloudy, with highs in the mid-50s. Light winds out of the south. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

New Year's Eve

Showers. Lows around 50. Winds out of the southeast 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

New Year's Day

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Highs in the lower 60s. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday Night

A 40 percent chance of showers before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with lows in the mid-40s.

Nantahala area

Today

A 20 percent chance of rain after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with highs in the upper 40s. Winds out of the south 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

A 20 percent chance of rain. Widespread dense fog after 8pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with lows around 40. Winds out of the south 3 to 6 mph.

Thursday

Showers likely, mainly after 4pm. Areas of fog in the morning. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with highs in the mid-50s. Winds out of the south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

New Year's Eve

Showers. Lows around 50. WInds out of the southeast 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

New Year's Day

Showers before 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 1pm and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Highs near 60. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with lows in the mid-40s.



HAZARDS

Spotty, light freezing rain may briefly fall over the area this morning. Temperatures around the freezing mark at daybreak are expected to warm to the mid 30s by late morning. A light glaze of ice could form on elevated surfaces in a few of the colder locations. Please exercise extreme caution this morning.

Thursday through Monday

Heavy rainfall is possible across the regions New Year's Eve and Friday. Localized flooding of streams and main stem rivers, as well as low-lying and poor drainage areas, is possible.






COVID-19 Briefing

The Macon County Public Health Department will return to a schedule of testing today after an interruption for the Christmas holiday and a scare yesterday afternoon over odors that were emitted from a packaged that was later identified as coming from insecticides.

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 April 17th.

Cases

1464 Detected
(+90 from Dec 23rd and +133 from last Tuesday and +511 in four weeks)

353 Active
(+72 from Dec 23rd and +98 from last Tuesday and +282 in four weeks)

1102 Recovered
(+18 from Dec 23rd and +35 from last Tuesday and +229 in four weeks)

9 Deaths
(unchanged from Dec 23rd and unchanged from last Tuesday and unchanged in four weeks)

Testing

7729 by MCPH
(unchanged from Dec 23rd and unchanged from last Tuesday and +676 in four weeks)

4914 by Others
(+unchanged from Dec 23rd and +49 from last Tuesday and +938 in four weeks)

12643 total
(unchanged from Dec 23rd and +49 from last Tuesday and +1614 in four weeks)

80 tests pending results
(unchanged from Dec 23rd and unchanged from last Tuesday and -18 in four weeks)

Air Quality

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

Pollen

Pollen levels are expected to be low (1.3 out of 12) with mixed traces of sources being detectable. Tomorrow is expected to be lower (0.3 out of 12).


Weather Extremes for Macon County for December 30th


Highest Temperature 71°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1984
lowest Temperature -12°F in Highlands in 1917
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 1.706 inches in Highlands in 1912
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 3.0 inches in Highlands in 1997

Weather Extremes for Macon County for the Month of December

Highest Temperature 78°F in Franklin in 1951
lowest Temperature -12°F in Highlands in 1917
Greatest One-Day Rainfall 6.00 inches in Highlands in 1901 Greatest One-Day Snowfall 12.0 inches in Franklin in 1876

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

The North Atlantic Hurricane Season is over for the year. If anything does develop, the information will be posted in this section of the weather briefing.







CROWDFUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES


If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider in the morning increasing to come out of the a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month. Those who support Macon Media with at least a dollar a month receive early access to video of some events and meetings before they are made public on the website. Videos and news involving public safety are not subject to early access.



Become a Patron!


Or, if you prefer Pay Pal, try PayPal.me/MaconMedia



Published at 4:35am on Wednesday, December 30, 2020

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