Storm departs, but misery continues
Ten days after Hurricane Florence roared onto land along the coastal Carolinas, hundreds of roads remain closed, thousands of residents remain out of their homes or under evacuation watches, and hundreds are being rescued from rising waters.
The death toll from the storm reached 43, and tentative damage estimates in the range of $50 billion place Florence among the 10 most costly hurricanes in U.S. history.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said teams conducted more than 350 rescues over the weekend, raising the total to more than 5,200 since Florence slammed through the state. Ten river gauges in the state showed major or moderate flood stages, the National Weather Service said.
“Florence continues to bring misery to North Carolina,” Cooper said. “Remain careful and cautious in areas impacted by the storm, and stay away from flooded roads and communities. Don’t put yourself in danger.”
More than 400 roads remained closed across the state, although the last blocked segment of I-95 was reopened late Sunday, Cooper’s office said.
Parts of I-40 have slowly emerged from the floodwaters, but other sections could remain underwater for another week. Firefighters from the town of Penderlea, in the southeastern part of the state, hosed fish carcasses off I-40 to prevent vehicles from skidding.
Cooper said 74,000 state residents have applied for Federal Emergency Management Administration aid.
In South Carolina on Monday, authorities in Georgetown County urged thousands of residents who live in or near flood zones along the Intracoastal Waterway, Waccamaw River and Pee Dee River to evacuate “for their own safety and the safety of first responders.” The county opened two shelters and said residents who use them can bring their pets.
“Now is the time to put safety first above everything else,” the South Carolina Emergency Management Division said on Twitter. “Evacuate to a shelter if you need to, take your pets with you. Your life is the most important thing to save.”