I've directed the Department of Correction to put inmates to work with Emergency Management, the Department of Transportation and other agencies so that we can restore power and clear roads for our citizens in Western North Carolina. Three work squads from Marion Correctional Institution were sent to Yancey County today to help with snow removal. Captain Johnny Poteat of Marion C.I. said the squads provide 30 inmates supervised by correctional officers to help clear snow. Danny MacIntosh, Yancey County Emergency Management Coordinator, said the inmates will clear sidewalks and parking areas around public buildings and schools. Then the work squads will help with snow removal around the shelter set up at Burnsville Elementary School.
Emergency workers are busy today trying to get people without power to the shelters.
MacIntosh said the inmates' work is a tremendous help to the county and the public works department. This really helps the public works center, because they really have more than they can handle right now. This is a big help to the county. Five crews made up of correction and forestry officers and inmates from the Blue Ridge Youth Center have been working in Ashe, Avery, Madison and Watauga counties today and yesterday. Under the direction of Emergency Management, the squads have been using chain saws to remove trees from roadways so that utilities can restore power and snow plows can clear roadways.