Print
More News

Governor Stops In Burgaw To Share Flooding Update

By Cece Nunn, posted Oct 17, 2016
Gov. Pat McCrory speaks Monday with members of the local media at the donation/distribution center for flood victims at Gateway Community Church, 416 W. Bridgers St., in Burgaw. (Photo by Cece Nunn)
Gov. Pat McCrory stopped at a church in Burgaw on Monday morning and shared an update on Hurricane Matthew flooding recovery efforts with local media.

“We’ve gotten much better news this Monday as the continued warm weather is helping the recovery operations,” said McCrory, speaking to a small group of reporters in the donation/distribution center at Gateway Community Church, 416 W. Bridgers St..

Over the weekend, state emergency officials shared an overall estimate so far of $1.5 billion in damage to businesses, homes and government buildings from the flooding caused by the hurricane. 

Only a few businesses in western Pender County appeared to be affected, county officials said, though the same wasn’t true elsewhere in the state.

McCrory said officials are still assessing the aftermath of the flooding, which became an expected focal point of emergency management efforts even before Hurricane Matthew drenched the Wilmington area Oct. 8.

“It’s going to be a long haul,” he said.

But for the time being, infrastructure priorities are water and sewer systems, roads and rail, the governor said.

The Wilmington area has not emerged unscathed when it comes to infrastructure problems. Locally, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority officials have been working to remind all of their customers, including businesses, that they are under mandatory water restrictions until further notice because of a water main break in Brunswick County. The raw water main break is significantly reducing the water supply for Brunswick, CFPUA and Pender County by 12.5 million gallons a day, according to a news release Monday. The repair has been made more difficult by flooding from the hurricane, CFPUA officials said.

In Burgaw, McCrory also responded to a question about the impact on livestock in the state.

“We haven’t done a full economic impact, but the [agricultural] community has gotten hit tremendously,” McCrory said. “There’s no doubt that we lost millions of chickens; we’ve lost a lot of hogs and pigs, not as many as we anticipated. We’re doing everything we can right now to ensure that we bury any lost livestock into dumps that are lined, and that’s been a major priority during the past four days.”

In addition to mointoring the burial of livestock remains and livestock waste, state officials are also keeping an eye on coal ash “to make sure there aren’t any serious spills at our utilities,” the governor said.

Pender County officials estimated that 1,500 residents have been displaced by the flooding, but many had found shelter with relatives and friends.  

McCrory said Monday that finding temporary and permanent housing for those who lost their homes is a major focus. He said that this week, he’ll be announcing “a long-term recovery group working on and helping those people that can least afford this hurricane impacting them.”

In the city of Wilmington, downtown’s Water Street has at times been living up to its name with some flooding, while Cape Fear River tidal flooding also appeared to have closed U.S. 421 near the Battleship North Carolina on Monday morning, according to photos shared by the National Weather Service on Twitter.

Melissa Phipps, director of human resources at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside hotel, said the Water Street flooding has been occurring about twice a day, only affecting the parking lot when it comes to the hotel. She said guests have been asked to use the nearby parking deck.
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Untitleddesign2 4523114356

Cybersecurity and Productivity: Striking the Perfect Balance for Business Success

Barrett Earney - EarneyIT
Burrus rob headshot 300x300

Spreading Wings for Flight: 2nd Annual Trade Show Highlights the Ingenuity of UNCW Business Students

Robert Burrus - Cameron School of Business - UNC-Wilmington
Chris 16239425

‘Creative,’ An Adjective To Describe Your Accountant?!

Chris Capone - Capone & Associates

Trending News

Conservation Group Signs $8M Deal To Buy The Point On Topsail Island

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

National Organization Bestows Top Award On Cape Fear Professional Women In Building

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

Engineering Firm Hires Four Employees

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

N.C. Ports Officials React To Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

NCino's Fourth-quarter Earnings Signal Rebound From Liquidity Crisis

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 27, 2024

In The Current Issue

Topsail-area Realtors Share Updates

Pender County Realtors recently shared updates about the coastal market at an event hosted by the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Associa...


Hacking Cyberdefense Shortage

A shortage of cybersecurity professionals influenced professor Ulku Clark and her team to slowly evolve UNCW’s offerings to now include eigh...


Berries, A Battlefield And More In Pender

The N.C. Blueberry Festival, founded in 2003, is one of several events in Pender County that have drawn more attention over the years....

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2023 Power Breakfast: Major Developments