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Interview with Cody Parton, audio

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  • Cody Parton talks about his role as Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator for Haywood County during Tropical Storm Fred. Parton recounts the day which started with a conference call to the National Weather Service who were confident that Haywood County would not have any issues with flooding due to the storm. However, radio calls started coming in from the Cruso Fire Department which led Parton immediately out to help where he could. Driving to the first emergency call, he quickly realized this was going to be an unprecedented flooding event. He kept in contact with the Emergency Coordination Center, keeping them informed and requesting all the additional resources he could get. Parton highlights the need for improved preparedness and resources in Haywood County and expresses dismay that these needs have not been addressed since the catastrophic flooding of 2004. Tropical Storm Fred hit Haywood County on August 17, 2021, causing 6 deaths, 4 landslides, major flooding, and widespread destruction to houses in the area.