Three weeks ago, North Carolinians were bracing for Hurricane Matthew. As it ravaged the coast, it collided with a cold front, sending down torrential rain throughout the eastern region of the state. Rivers flooded, roads were completely closed, and thousands were left stranded without a home, fresh drinking water, and a sense of peace. Communities came together to help during the time of crisis, and out of the terrible impact and devastation, there were glimmers of hope and true heroes.
1. First responders
While many were evacuating or had left town, others stayed or were called in for duty to protect those who needed help.
More than 600 National Guard troops and 200 high water and rescue vehicles were called in.
Police, firefighters, National Guard troops, and volunteers rescued those stuck in their homes, others stuck in their cars as roads flooded, and even displaced animals.
Princeville Firefighter James Powell was tied to a fire truck, then lowered into the water to save a woman trapped in the flash flood. The current was so strong that it left an indentation on the truck. When Powell reached the woman, her car was rushed in the opposite direction. Powell disappeared under the water for almost a minute. The woman was able to climb to safety in a tree and wait for the Rocky Mount Fire Department to rescue her. Powell lost his wedding ring during the rescue attempt, but his bravery is unmatched.
Fayetteville was also unexpectedly struck by torrential flooding. First responders and the National Guard had to work hard and fast to save those stranded from rising waters.
2. Those who provided a home away from home.
As Kinston was submerged in water, The Baptist Children's Home of Thomasville took in 50 people from the agency's Kennedy home near Kinston. Those who were provided shelter consisted of children, three single mothers, and staff members.
80 Red Cross shelters opened before and during floodwaters, and gave a home away from home to over 3,800 people.
Many animals were left displaced, and animal shelters felt the extreme impact. Many were over capacity, and both in-state and out-of-state animal shelters, like Maryland's SPCA, took in displaced animals to help ease the burden and in hopes of finding them homes.
3. Those who provided essential items to those in need
Flood victims in Lumberton were left without fresh drinking water. When hearing about the devastation, Suzie and her husband Todd Ford, owners of NoDa Brewing in Charlotte, decided to help. They had access to filtered water and a canning machine with the capability to can 141 cans per minute. To assist in any way possible, the entire brewery crew came together and filled over 6,000 cans with fresh, filtered drinking water. On Sunday, Tyler Norris, the delivery manager at NoDa Brewing, made his way to Lumberton. Many road closures and detours made the trip difficult, but eventually he met with a volunteer coordinator and firefighters east of Lumberton.
National Guard Soldiers from the 690th Brigade Support Battalion, 514th, 1132nd and 210th Military Police Company traversed over a hundred miles back and forth to drop off supplies, food, and water, and to meet with civic leaders to plan future efforts.
Residents from Anson County also came together to collect 10,000 pounds of donations for flood victims.
For now, North Carolina is focusing on recovery, 26 lives were lost, and damage is reported to be around $1.6 billion. Many have lost everything they have, their homes, their safety, their belongings – but even in the darkest of times, communities came together to support each other, which is truly incredible.
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