UPDATE: Schools closed and government delay after flooding
Community, Weather February 6, 2020
CLAY COUNTY, NC- A day filled with extensive flooding and a night with falling temperatures resulted in schools closing and a two-hour delayed opening for government offices.
Clay County Schools won’t open for students on Feb. 7, but is an optional work day for staff.
Also Clay County government offices will open at 10 a.m. on Friday, but all emergency services are available.
Original Story:
Heavy flooding and constant rain throughout Thursday, Feb. 6 has resulted in school closing and road closures across Clay County.
Additionally, several reports of trees and power lines down with people posting images online of the damage.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has a flash flood watch in effect until 1 a.m. on Feb. 7 and a flash flood warning in effect until 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 6.
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has reported multiple road closures due to flooding. Tusquittee Creek rose out of its banks and resulted in Tusquittee Creek Road (SR-1326) closing at 9:55 a.m. this morning. However as of 1:17 p.m., the road is not reopened, according to NCDOT.
Image of Peachtree, courtesy of Pam Bradshaw.
Theron Mccray Rd (SR-1358), near Fires Creek Road, also closed one lane at 8:04 a.m. due to small debris slide partially blocking the road. It’s expected to open again on Thursday, Feb. 7 at 2:59 p.m.
Hiawassee River has flooded Lance Cove Road (SR-1303), near U.S. 64 in both directions. NCDOT doesn’t expect this highway to be ready for use until Saturday, Feb. 8 at 2:17 p.m.
Clay County Schools let out at 10:45 a.m. because of the “deteriorating weather conditions.” At this time, the school hasn’t released a statement if school will be in session tomorrow or on a delay.
Tri-County Community College notified students that it will be closed all day Thursday and Friday.
Please take your time if heading out in this weather and be prepared to take alternate routes.
Shooting Creek near Hwy. 64, courtesy of Chris Peck.
Feature image courtesy of Ashley Owens.
NCDOT to widen Hwy 69; dozens of parcels face impact
News January 19, 2019HAYESVILLE, NC – Approximately 55 privately-owned properties are expected to be impacted as the result of plans to widen Highway 69 from the Georgia state line to Highway 64 in Hayesville, N.C.
The project, scheduled to begin in 2019, is estimated to cost a staggering $43,700.000. According to a North Carolina legal firm which specializes in eminent domain lawsuits, it is estimated thaI 55 parcels of property will be impacted by the project. “Currently the NCDOT has set aside $14,700,000 for right-of-way takings,” a representative of the Durham-based law office of James Scott Farrin stated.
“The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) plans to widen to four lanes with a median or turn lane, as well as make additional improvements to NC 69 from the Georgia state line to US 64 at the Hayesville Bypass in Hayesville, North Carolina,” the law firm explained, “This 3.8-mile project is a subset of a much larger 4.5-mile widening project that also includes lane widening from US 64/NC 69 to east of NC 175.”
The highway construction is expected to reach completion in 2021.