Emergency personnel taking extra measures after fatal consequences from the rain

Hundreds of people in Polk County are being paid a visit by emergency personnel Friday, receiving a warning about potential weather impacts from Hurricane Florence.

A shelter is set to open at Polk County Middle School on Saturday at 3 p.m. and emergency responders are working to get the word out.

An alert was sent out to Tryon residents Friday morning, and this same notice will be hand-delivered to about 500 homes.

Emergency officials here are taking this precaution, and visiting people in these areas, because of the devastation from flooding and mudslides back in May.

The loss of three lives are still fresh on their minds, and evidence of the destruction remains along Highway 176.

We spoke with a man who lives along that road. James Gause thinks people will stay put until weather conditions take a turn.

“Like when it rained before when we had the mudslide, it was torrential rains and I think sometimes torrential rain– if it’s a mild rain they might not–but I think if it’s a rain like before people might change their minds,” he said.

Emergency responders want everyone to have a plan now, and they hope it will prevent dangerous rescues.

The Polk County shelter opens at Polk Middle Saturday at 3 pm.

North Carolina residents can call 2-1-1 for more information about shelters.