There is a simple phrase Haywood County leaders want residents to remember: “Hi-Lo, time to go!”
Those simple words can save lives, Haywood County Recovery and Resiliency Manager Cody Grasty told county commissioners during their Aug. 3 meeting. Grasty came before the board to discuss the county’s 18 now-operational emergency flood sirens that were approved following Tropical Storm Fred in August 2021.
Six lives were lost in that storm, which caused extensive flooding in the southeastern part of the county. Five more people died during Hurricane Helene in September 2024, only reinforcing the need for a local emergency alert system, especially as cellular networks went down during that storm.
“These improve how we alert people in areas that have poor cellular reception,” Grasty said.
There are now 10 sirens along Cruso Road, four in the Lake Logan area, and one each in Waynesville, Clyde, Center Pigeon and near the Smoky Mountain Event Center. Grasty highlighted one of the Lake Logan-area sirens near Camp Daniel Boone and the SMEC siren, noting that those will alert “special populations” not likely acquainted with mountain flooding since they attract large number of out-of-town visitors.
In the future, sirens can be activated automatically when rain or river gauges hit a certain setpoint. For now, they are operated manually either at a remote location or at a specific siren. The sound is a “digital” rising and falling noise more akin to an emergency response vehicle siren than the old klaxon people may be used to. Following the tone is a spoken message saying, “Climb to higher ground.”
If someone hears the siren, the instructions are simple. Immediately climb upward. Bring only people, pets and a phone, if possible. Grasty instructed people not to get in a vehicle as trying to drive around floodwaters can itself be hazardous.
“If you hear it activate, don’t hesitate,” Grasty said.
“Treat it like a firefighter knocking on the door saying, “it’s time to go,’” he added.
The tones from the sirens can travel about a quarter mile, depending on foliage and weather conditions. Each siren features an array of speakers. They’re placed in locations determined to be the most effective through acoustic modeling.
The county runs a “silent test” every day, basically just a process to check that the circuitry is operational. It will do an audible test once per year. Grasty said that ahead of these tests, emergency officials will put the word out with signs and mobile alerts. If people hear the siren, he said, when in doubt, take the emergency actions.
Commissioner Terry Ramey asked whether sirens will be placed in more populated areas prone to flooding. Grasty said he has been in discussions with towns about where those may go while also exploring funding opportunities.
Those who aren’t close to a flood siren should stay aware of weather conditions, watch for mobile alerts and keep a backup means of obtaining information like a weather or am/fm radio, Grasty said.
For more information on the flood sirens and up-to-date emergency information, visit readyhaywood.com.