Part of North Carolina Now a Literal Island as Florence Floooding Continues
Although plenty of people would love island living, it is not something many may have had in mind when they chose to live in the heart of Wilmington, North Carolina. Now, due to the torrential downpour and flooding from Hurricane Florence, the city has become an island — cut off by the waters.
That news comes from city officials issuing updates, according to The Associated Press. That dramatic a hit from the storm may not have been expected when preparing for the storm.
Quick report from Brunswick County outside of Wilmington. Flood waters still rising! @WCKitchen #ChefsForCarolinas pic.twitter.com/wzRTEMsaAC
— Chef José Andrés 🕊️🥘🍳 (@chefjoseandres) September 16, 2018
To be clear, Wilmington is a river district with island beaches. But there was access from it to other areas. Floods from Florence have cut it off.
A weather report from Saturday showed what the area resident were about to face as Hurricane Florence hit. The graphic laid out a frightening image:
That primary band far east of the center of #Florence that has been persistently aimed onshore in the Jacksonville, NC area will probably align over the Wilmington area tonight, and far inland from there of course. More flash flood warnings and emergencies likely tonight, Sunday. pic.twitter.com/n2tyYZTDr3
— Dr. Rick Knabb (@DrRickKnabb) September 15, 2018
Now the terrible flooding problem has authorities scrambling to get assistance. They’ve asked for help from the governor, the National Guard, as well as from state law enforcement.
Here are some views of what the storm’s aftermath looked like:
MAJOR FLOODING on New Center Dr in Wilmington, NC with multiple vehicles submerged. Rain band has moved back in @breakingweather @accuweather pic.twitter.com/6VQSY3uL7a
— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerUSA) September 16, 2018
Not only have roads become impassible, but damage is occurring, as well. One example is the devastating flood erosion of Interstate 40:
Update: flood erosion of I40 in Wilmington, NC continues with water flow forced UNDER new channel beneath the highway @breakingweather @accuweather #Florence pic.twitter.com/LvSMFccYLn
— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerUSA) September 16, 2018
The AP reported that because of this, food and water will have “to be flown to the county, although new distribution centers will have to be found because of all the rain in the northern part of the county.” This according to a statement from chairman of the board of commissioners of New Hanover County, Woody White, at a news conference.
Other concerns faced by the community include those related to the water plant. At first the fear was that it would have to be shut down due to fuel running out. Later, authorities announced that they had located more fuel, so a shut down would not occur at that time.
In addition to food and water, another resources is being sent in to help. Rescue vehicles. As of 12:50 p.m. Sunday, “more than 1,000 responders were working with more than 200 boats to rescue people Sunday afternoon.”
Even fire ants were working hard to survive the devastation. They were using “barges” to save their colonies — much like shipwreck survivors attempting to leave their island in search of rescue.
Update: major flood waters rising about to inundate I40 north of Wilmington NC. State police shutting it down. Water came up 1.5 feet in 30 min. Fire ant barges saving their colonies @breakingweather @accuweather #Florence pic.twitter.com/xP64YwuGjJ
— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerUSA) September 15, 2018
In addition to people, vehicles were also being rescued from the waters. Tow trucks were busy pulling the ones they can from the flood.
Tow trucks pull submerged vehicles from flood waters in Wilmington. We've seen dozens of stranded cars after three days of non stop rain in Hurricane Florence's aftermath. pic.twitter.com/pLVQXVewq7
— Mola Lenghi (@MolaReports) September 16, 2018
Those in the city still are doing their best to get through the disaster. According to U.S. News and World Report, “residents waited for hours outside stores and restaurants for basic necessities like water. Police guarded the door of one store, and only 10 people were allowed inside at a time.”
The city, with a population of approximately 120,000, is also dealing with rising streams further threatening them.
It is unknown at this time what the final cost will be to the city in terms of lives lost, damages and emotional turmoil.
What we do know is that the nation is supporting them and will be there for them throughout the storm and its aftermath.
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