Residents of the Cape Fear region prepared for the worst in the days leading up to Hurricane Matthew, which swept by southeastern North Carolina on Oct. 8 with heavy rains and substantial winds. While the storm had lessened somewhat in intensity as it approached, the three counties all suffered damage and faced challenges.

The Wilmington area was beset with infrastructure problems from the storm.

“We know how important it is to get people back to normal and what you’re going to see happen today … and with each passing day, those times of restoration are going to start being pulled in sooner,” said Bobby Simpson, Duke Energy storm director, after the hurricane had passed.

For Duke Energy, Brunswick and Pender counties and Wilmington were among the hardest hit areas.

In Pender County, which saw the bulk of water damage in the area because of the storm, officials estimated that 1,500 residents have been displaced by the flooding but many had found shelter with relatives and friends.

“Matthew had a tremendous impact on us as a flooding event,” said Tammy Proctor, Pender County’s tourism director. “The Black River Basin received the record flooding from the Lumberton area and points north.

Rain totals in the state included 18 inches in Wilmington, 14 inches in Fayetteville and 8 inches in Raleigh, according to the National Weather Service.

On the Monday after the storm, flight schedules at Wilmington International Airport had resumed, after 24 arrivals and 28 departures were canceled from Friday night to Sunday because of it, said Gary Broughton, deputy director of the airport.

The U.S. Small Business administration included Brunswick and Pender counties in the list of North Carolina counties that became eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA, as a result of Hurricane Matthew. Businesses and homeowners or renters have until Jan. 9 to apply for a disaster loan.

“We are certainly pleased that this additional assistance is available to our small businesses,” Mike Hargett, director of Economic Development and Planning in Brunswick County, said when Brunswick County was added to the list in November.
“We will be coordinating with Emergency Services officials to see how this corresponds with assistance from FEMA and other sources.”

There were 22 storm-related deaths reported in North Carolina, which saw an estimated $2 billion in damage.