Avery County proclaims Hurricane Preparedness Week as public commenter lambasts broadband rollout

The Avery County Board of Commissioners adopted a proclamation declaring Hurricane Preparedness Week for May 3–9, 2026 and encouraged residents to prepare emergency supplies and review insurance coverage.

Chair (the meeting chair) read the proclamation, which emphasizes flood and storm risks and urges households to assemble an emergency kit to sustain members for "3 days or longer" and to review homeowners and renters insurance. The board approved the proclamation by voice vote.

During the public-comment period, Greg Jenkins criticized the board's broadband efforts and disaster readiness, saying, "Ain't nobody got no broadband yet," and that officials had not followed through on promises that would have provided Starlink before a storm. Jenkins also urged the board to do more for veterans and said he had emailed commissioners multiple times without receiving responses.

The board did not reverse the proclamation vote; the meeting record shows a voice vote approved the proclamation and then continued with agenda items. The public comment underscored persistent local concerns about broadband access and service reliability and flagged constituent frustration with board responsiveness.

The board listed readiness resources in the proclamation and directed residents to readync.gov for planning and up-to-date weather and traffic information. No further formal action on broadband or veterans services was recorded in the meeting minutes.