Moore County declared a State of Emergency on Sunday due to extreme rain, widespread flooding, potential dam breaches, and property damage from Tropical Depression Chantal.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Moore County’s State of Emergency Ordinance, Chapter 166A of the North Carolina General Statutes, Article 36A of Chapter 14 of the North Carolina General Statutes, and in accordance with the Moore County Emergency Operations Plan, the Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners is authorized and empowered to declare a State of Emergency exists within the County of Moore; and
WHEREAS, Tropical Depression Chantal (herein “Severe Weather Event”) has significantly impacted and continues to impact Moore County; and
WHEREAS, due to extreme amounts of rain in a short amount of time, Moore County has experienced widespread flooding which has damaged roadways, making them impassable, as well as public and private property; and
WHEREAS, there is an imminent threat of one of more dams breaching which could result in cataphoric damage to life and property; and
WHEREAS, the impacts from the Severe Weather Event constitute a State of Emergency as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 166A-19.3(6) and 166A-19.3(20); and
WHEREAS, certain measures are necessary to ensure the protection and safety of Moore County residents and to coordinate the emergency response among state and local entities and officials; and
WHEREAS, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.1 (3) provides that it is the responsibility of the undersigned, state agencies, and local governments to “provide for the rapid and orderly rehabilitation of persons and restoration of property;” and
WHEREAS, declaring a State of Emergency is necessary to protect the lives, safety, and property of people within the County, to maintain an acceptable level of public services within the County, and to facilitate activities of emergency and repair crews within the County.
NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Chair of the Board of Commissioners of the County of Moore, North Carolina, I, Kurt Cook, do declare as follows:
Section 1. A State of Emergency is hereby declared in the County of Moore, North Carolina within the unincorporated portions of Moore County (which excludes municipalities).
Section 2. I hereby order all County law enforcement officers, employees, and all emergency management personnel subject to our control, to cooperate in the enforcement and implementation of the provisions of this Declaration, all applicable local ordinances, state and federal laws, and the County of Moore’s Emergency Operations Plan.
Section 3. All civilians and emergency services workers are hereby ordered to comply with the Moore County Emergency Operations Plan.
Section 4. County personnel are authorized to open shelters as necessary to provide for the safety of citizens who are without power, food, or water.
Section 5. The County Manager/designee is authorized to make emergency purchases and contracts as necessary as it relates to the Emergency Declaration.
Section 6. Municipalities are encouraged to coordinate response efforts with the Moore County Emergency Management.
Section 7. I hereby order that this Declaration: (a) be distributed to the news media and other organizations calculated to bring its message to the attention of the general public; (b) to be filed with Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners for the County of Moore; and (c) to be distributed to all the municipalities within the County, and to others as necessary to ensure proper implementation of this Declaration.
Section 8. This Declaration shall become EFFECTIVE on July 6, 2025, at 10:00 p.m. and shall automatically EXPIRE on July 9, 2025, at 10:00 p.m., unless otherwise extended.
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