<div>MONROE – Union County commissioners approved a resolution Oct. 7 that offers employees up to 16 hours to volunteer for Hurricane Helene relief efforts in western North Carolina.The resolution went into effect retroactively on Sept. 23 and remains through the end of 2024. “You see some of the videos and some of the pictures of what's going on in western North Carolina and it's hard to imagine the devastation some of these communities are facing,” Deputy County Manager Patrick Niland told commissioners Oct. 7. “We had some damage. We had some rain and wind but it's nowhere near what they are dealing with in the west.”Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on Sept. 26. The storm created extreme flooding in western North Carolina. Niland said Union County staff has been in calls with town and city managers in these areas that have expressed concerns about making payroll as safety and water employees work overtime. These areas are also looking at millions of dollars worth of cleanup. “This cleanup effort is going to take years.” Niland said. “I think what we have seen as part of this is we were fortunate in this storm but if there is ever a time when Union County needs someof the resources, there will be no shortage of state resources that will be willing to come to us.”Union County employees from various departments, not just public safety, have volunteered time or donated resources to relief efforts. “I've been so proud not only of our staff but our entire county through this whole ordeal,” Commissioner Brian Helms said. “The people of Union County have pitched in and and they've they've gone above and beyond to try to help our neighbors. I'm extremely proud of where I live.”</div>

Mountain View, CA

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Union County pitches in on hurricane relief efforts

MONROE – Union County commissioners approved a resolution Oct. 7 that offers employees up to 16 hours to volunteer for Hurricane Helene relief efforts in western North Carolina. The resolution went into effect retroactively on Sept. 23 and remains through the end of 2024. “You see some of the...