Given the events that have recently stricken our community, I felt it better to write from the Interim Town Administrator position rather than solely the Finance Director.

As with many organizations, there often exists some type of disaster plan. For local governments, there are often very extensive plans as the nature and scope of disasters can be on very large scales. This weekend our community was rocked by an EF2 tornado that directly impacted nearly 50 homes. Harrisburg Fire Department was the first on the scene and coordinated the emergency response teams. In my normal capacity as the Finance Director, I would not have been asked to report to the scene. However, in my current capacity, I was notified of the event by Fire Chief Bryan Dunn and I arrived, along with Mayor Tim Hagler, early Saturday morning to assess the situation and damage. This enabled me to get a glimpse of this large emergency response and I have to say it was impressively organized in the midst of absolute disaster surrounding everyone. Not only did we have a significant amount of our fire department on scene, but we also had members of the Flowe Store Volunteer Fire Department, Concord Fire Department, Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office, Cabarrus County Emergency Management, County Fire Marshal, Cabarrus County EMS, Concord Police Department, NC State Emergency Management and the American Red Cross, among others. The entire operation appeared seamless and focused on the well-being of the residents. The Mayor and some members of Town Council toured the area and spoke with the homeowners. We even had a visit from Congressman Larry Kissell and his wife as they toured the area and met with residents. The Town has already begun work to get federal aid in the form of low cost loans to make repairs to homes. Local churches and other agencies are coordinating efforts to assist those in need. The Town's Public Works Department is also assisting with debris removal.

It makes me proud to work for the Town as I see this level of response. I hope everyone can feel comfortable that they live in a community where the Town staff, elected officials and other organizations band together in a unified effort to help those in need. 

Severe Weather Awareness Week

March 4-10, 2012

A few facts about severe weather :

• Lightning occurs within all thunderstorms.
• Average 93 deaths and 300 injuries each year.
• Causes several hundred million dollars in damage to property annually.
• Flash Floods are the number one thunderstorm killer annually, approximately 140 deaths -- most deaths occur at night.
• Tornadoes can have winds up to 200 mph and result in catastrophic damage to structures.
• Most deaths occur when occupants fail to evacuate mobile homes and non-substantial structures.

Lessen the impact of severe weather on your family and community through preparedness. Have a plan, maintain awareness by staying informed about rapidly changing weather, and maintain a home safety kit. For more information, see our website.