<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=46Dulm_0viKhOB100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=46Dulm_0viKhOB100" width="1320" height="743" >HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Three years ago, Haywood County took the brunt of the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred.Since then, there have been lessons learned and improvements made, so preparations are now underway for Helene.The Pigeon River in Canton is calm right now, but everyone from the mayor to business leaders to residents knows it is just a matter of how much the river will change later this week with heavy rain.<blockquote>The storm is coming, and it is dangerous. We are prepped, and then we pray,” said Mayor Zeb Smathers.</blockquote>Tropical Storm Fred devastated downtown Canton and surrounding communities and even killed six people in Cruso.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1A5EFS_0viKhOB100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1A5EFS_0viKhOB100" width="648" height="365" >“The Cruso community, the Lake Logan community – they're part of the Canton family,” Smathers said.He knows the damage that flooding can bring. So, there is an urgent call to be prepared for Helene. There is also more advance notice this time around.Smathers is urging residents and businesses to take the coming storm seriously.“We would much rather that you spend the time to prepare – get the important stuff out of your homes. We are asking our businesses to get your inventory out [and] start relocating,” he said.In August 2021, the Pigeon River virtually moved into BearWaters Brewing Company in Canton.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3gDVno_0viKhOB100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3gDVno_0viKhOB100" width="648" height="365" >Owner Kevin Sandefur says a lesson learned was to develop an emergency plan. He is busy now moving vital equipment.His inventory cooler is full of finished product and he is asking other nearby brewers to store it at a critical business time – Oktoberfest.<blockquote>This could be devastating from a sales point. This could be a real interesting kind of crossroads for us as a company,” Sandefur said.</blockquote>Haywood Emergency Services says now is the time for these conversations with family members.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=00YzcI_0viKhOB100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=00YzcI_0viKhOB100" width="648" height="365" >“If you think you need to leave your home and be more comfortable with friends and family, make those arrangements now. Shelters will be open if they're needed,” said Allison Richmond.She advises taking what is needed, especially for babies and seniors. She says now is also a good time to scan important documents like insurance policies, IDs and birth certificates.Much of the leftover Pigeon River debris from Fred has been removed in the last three years. But, should river rescues be needed, the Waynesville Fire Department just added its first swift river rescue boat.<blockquote>Hopefully, we won't have to use it. But of course, it’s here for the Town of Waynesville, but also for Haywood County as a whole,” said Captain Cody Parton.</blockquote>Along with all thepreparations, hope remains that the storm will move quickly and minimize any flooding.</div></body>

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Three years after Tropical Storm Fred, Haywood County urges preparation for Helene

HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Three years ago, Haywood County took the brunt of the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred. Since then, there have been lessons learned and improvements made, so preparations are now underway for Helene. The Pigeon River in Canton is calm right now, but everyone from...