HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — While nowhere near the scale of Helene, a heavy rain prediction has many scrambling to be prepared. That includes Haywood County.
After Helene, many private bridges around Waynesville were built back stronger.
The residents living along impacted communities are hoping the bigger culverts will handle any major rainfall this week.
“When the rain is in the forecast for an extended period of time, we’re on alert,” said Public Information Officer with Haywood County Emergency Services, Allison Richmond.
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She said they’re on constant watch with bands of rain, even mixed precipitation in the forecast.
“We’re going to keep an eye on things. We’re not concerned enough to need to activate our emergency operations center just yet. But if we need to, we’re always here,” said Richmond.
They’ll be on the outlook for issues, including possible landslides.
“It does make me nervous a little bit,” said Linda Morgan who lives along Camp Branch Creek.
In September, Helene turned Camp Branch Creek into more of a river.
“This knocked out the whole bridge,” said Morgan.
The storm swept her driveway away.
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“During Helene, we had water all coming down the road. Rushing water covered my entire driveway,” Morgan said.
Morgan’s driveway was built back.
“Actually, FEMA did come through for me. I did get the driveway back,” said Morgan.
Morgan said Helene dug the creek out and made it wider. She feels like the widening will help with just heavy rain, but nothing more, especially for anything like Helene.
Morgan feels fairly confident that her new driveway will endure this week.
“We’ll find out, won’t we,” Morgan said.
Morgan said other areas of Waynesville may be more at risk.
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“In the other low-lying areas in town, Hazelwood and down along off Russ Avenue. They might have a problem,” said Morgan.
Richmond said the rain coming in stages may help.
“When we have rain bands or rain coming in in phases that downtime in between helps give us time for that rain to flow away,” Richmond said.
She urges caution on the roads as rain could combine with ice.
“Never, ever drive into standing water or moving water. You see water where it doesn’t belong, or it isn’t usually, do not drive into it. Please turn around, don’t drown,” said Richmond.
Richmond adds that cleaning out any gutters or drains around your house can be helpful as well.