Storm‑Ravaged Rivers Keep the Floods Flowing
After Hurricane Florence slammed into the coast, the death toll has climbed to 31 – and the rivers are still doing their best impression of a cool water slide.
North Carolina: A Rising Death Count
- The state’s emergency officials reported 25 deaths as of Monday, up from the initial 17.
- These losses are linked to Florence’s Category 1 descent, even after the storm’s eye has moved inland.
- Flood‑water levels are threatening dams, landslides, and more houses to kiss the sea.
South Carolina: Six Lives Lost
- The driver of a pickup truck tragically ran through standing water in Lexington County.
- That was the last of the six confirmed deaths in the neighboring state.
Virginia: A Building Collapse
- In Richmond, emergency crews reported a single fatality when a structure gave way amid severe weather conditions.
- Whether the crash is tied to Florence is still under investigation.
Governor Cooper on the Front Lines
“River flooding is dynamic and it’s happening all over our state,” Governor Roy Cooper told reporters. “This is an epic storm that is still continuing, and it’s a monumental disaster for our state.”
North Carolina’s Rivers on the Edge
More than a dozen rivers in North Carolina were at major flood stage on Monday, with several on the brink of cresting into critical levels.
Wilmington’s Water‑Wipeout: The Heroic Human Response
“These roads still pose a flood threat, folks.”
Ed Cooper, the state’s straight‑talking chief, waved a warning flag. “If you’re still stranded, don’t jump back in that nostalgic ‘home’‑check‑N Go. And if you’re strolling out for no good reason? Stay put.”He added, with that classic cautionary tone, “Don’t turn yourself into a rescue‑request.”
Saving a Town in the Midst of the Tides
Community Support Goes ‘Full‑On.’
In New Bern, the heart that’s seen its own share of rain‑tide drama, the local grocery store turned into a dinner buffet:
Three feet of rain, folks. That’s right—almost a roof‑cap story… literally.
Parking Our Pounding Hearts?
Bottom Line?
The flood might’ve waded in, but the spirit, food, and laughs survived—well‑above, and somewhere, in the water‑free pockets of Wilmington’s streets.
North Carolina Faces Unprecedented Floods
Photo: AFP
Local artist Kevin Bryant praised the support, saying, “it’s good to get some help”. He was among those who lost everything when the storms hit.
What Happened
- Kevin said, “I lost everything in the flooding. We didn’t think it would be that bad. It happened so fast.”
- The storm dumped record rain across the Carolinas.
- North Carolina’s Elizabethtown saw the heaviest rainfall: 35.93 inches (0.91 metres).
- In South Carolina, the town of Loris recorded 23.81 inches (0.6 metres).
People Sheltered at the University of North Carolina
More than 300 folks stayed Monday at a campus shelter in Raleigh, the state capital that largely escaped the worst of the storm.
Thomas Hammett’s Story
Thomas, from Otway, North Carolina, has been at the shelter for almost a week with his two kids, Jerry (11) and Christopher (3).
- Thomas said, “We had to evacuate. It was too dangerous to stay. Some people have died down there.”
- He added, “The neighbours told us our home was fine apart from a few branches down, so that’s a relief at least.”
- He hopes to return home soon: “We can’t wait to go back and live a normal life again, hopefully on Wednesday.”
Looking Ahead
Officials are monitoring the situation closely, and residents are hoping to rebuild their lives in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for updates.
Storm‑Slammed Fayetteville: The River Rolls Over
The Cape Fear River in Fayetteville has hit a bang‑banger of a wave— 58 feet on Monday and climbing close to 62 feet by Tuesday— before it decides to take a dip. Citizens in the Carolinas faced a chopping‑block of power as roughly half a million folks stayed in the dark.
Nature’s Ramps & the Risks Ahead
The National Weather Service warned that landslide danger is on the rise in North Carolina. A minor dam hiccup occurred, but nothing dramatic to cause a evacuation‑boom; officials are keeping a close eye on other structures—no surprises, folks.
Road Rage: Trees Tango With Water
Using a “dead‑tree” blockade strategy, the county stretched across eastern NC, clogging major roads—including parts of I‑95—so motorists may need to redraw their highway maps or pull out a canoe.
Power-Whoops: A Half‑Million Standby
The lights disappointed most households: emergency channels confirmed that some 500,000 customers screamed, “Where did our electricity get to?”
High‑Level Visits & Dean‑O‑Pokes
Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen rolled into North Carolina Monday to speak with responders and check the flood scenes. President Trump revealed he’ll swing by this week for the “big meet‑up,” though the date is still up in the water.
Governor Cooper made his statement clear: “We’re going to need a ton of resources to bounce back.” And we think he’s right.
Bottom line: Expect the river to keep its drama, the roads to have some tree drama, and plenty of power drama as the state seeks recovery. Let’s pull out the buckets, keep our spirits high, and watch those 58‑62 foot waves groove to the next day.
