Safety Information for the Upcoming Severe Weather Event (Wednesday-Friday)

SAFETY INFORMATION (09-24-2024)

The current forecast and computer models show Macon County may receive from 4 to 12 inches of rain from the remnants of Hurricane Helene. The southern sections and higher elevations in the rest of the county may receive 6 to 12 inches of rain through Friday at midnight. The central section around Franklin may receive between 4 and 8 inches of rain. Please take this storm seriously and prepare. If you live in areas that are prone to flooding, gather your important documents and put them where they will be handy if you are told to evacuate by emergency personnel.

If the situation warrants, Macon Media may post Open Threads (on Facebook and at MaconMedia.com) where safety information will be shared and the community will be given opportunities to ask questions and share what they are seeing.
• If you are out and about during the rain periods, please turn your headlights on so other people can see you.
• Make sure someone knows where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Stay off the roadways if they are flooded.
• Avoid going out and touring storm damage as this may act to get in the way of safety personnel. We have local news outlets that will be documenting storm damage and communicating safety messages to the public.

Following are some safety tips to consider in the coming days...

SAFETY TIPS AND HELPFUL NON-EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Remember to NEVER touch downed power lines.

Here is a Reminder of Helpful Phone Numbers:

Non-emergency reports: 369-9116
Highway Patrol Dispatch: 1-800-445-1772
Franklin Police: 524-2864
Highlands Police: 526-9431
Animal Control: 349-2106
Sheriff's Office: 349-2104

---Begin Sponor Segment---
STORM SPONSOR

Young Tree Service is sponsoring Macon Media during this storm event.
They provide complete tree care, are licensed and insured. Specializing in low ground impact. Danger tree removal. Crane Service, Pruning, Views, 24 hr emergency service. Call 828-421-0967 for more information.
---End Sponsor Segment---

HOW TO REPORT AN ELECTRICAL OUTAGE

Duke Energy

Call 800.769.3766 or in Spanish 866.4.Apagón (866.427.2466). If you see a fallen power line or safety hazard, call Duke Energy at 800.Power.On (800.769.3766) or in Spanish 866.4.Apagón (866.427.2466) or contact your local emergency services immediately. Do not touch a power line or anything in contact with it and keep others away until help arrives.

Haywood EMC
To report or inquire about power outages, call 1-800-951-6088

FLOOD SAFETY TIPS

• Evacuate immediately, if told to evacuate. Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.

• Contact your healthcare provider If you are sick and need medical attention. Wait for further care instructions and shelter in place, if possible. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

• Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions regarding flooding.

• Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown!

• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.

• Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water. Get on the roof if water is rising inside the car.

• Get to the highest level if trapped in a building. Only get on the roof if necessary and once there signal for help. Do not climb into a closed attic to avoid getting trapped by rising floodwater.

Learn more at https://www.ready.gov/floods
#WNCscan #MaconTraffic #MaconSafety #HELENE2024 #MaconWx #MaconWeather

Published at 1.25pm on Tuesday, September 24, 2024