LUMBERTON, NC (WBTW) – Robeson County residents are rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.
Nina Todd is a homeowner near the Lumber River, and said she was home alone when the storm hit the area.
“It felt terrible,” she remembered. “I was scared. The water was all over. We couldn’t get out of the house. We were stuck in it, [and] couldn’t get out.”
Todd said the wind from Florence blew shingles off of her house and left her with severe damage.
“Up in the ceiling is where water poured down,” Todd said about the holes in her roof. “It was running all over.”
Robeson County Public Information Officer, Emily Jones, told News13 the Lumber River level has decreased.
“The actual gauges we were getting were not as accurate as we thought,” she explained. “We had some engineers come in, and give us accurate readings.”
Jones said the Lumber River had two crests after Hurricane Florence hit. Jones said the river was above 24 feet. The second crest was lower but it still broke a record.
The Lumber River’s crest when Hurricane Matthew hit was 24.39′.
“Flood stage is 13 feet, so it’s below flood stage now,” said Jones.
Jones said residents can apply for disaster food stamps through the Department of Social Services on Friday.
“All you need is identification to process your application for that,” said Jones.
Jones said residents can apply until Oct. 6 Monday through Friday 8 a.m until 5 p.m., and 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
You can find a list of hot meals, and where to donate here.
Jones said the Robeson County community has remained strong through the devastation.
“We are humble people, and people of love,” she said. “We want to make sure people are fed. That’s our main concern. We want to make sure nobody is hungry. We’ve had tons of supplies coming into our county, and it’s a blessing.”
Jones said the county is in need of cleaning supplies for community members moving back into their homes.
Jones said the distribution location is at 2300 N. Cedar St. if people wish to donate small boxes. Jones said to bring a large donation to the Southeastern Agricultural Center.
Jones said FEMA representatives are in the shelters meeting with people for disaster recovery.
“They’re [FEMA] getting information down,” she explained. “You can also go online to FEMA, and fill out the application or call the 1-800 number to fill out your application so you can get your application process effectively, and then you will have a FEMA number, and they will contact you further.”
Jones said the county will announce a disaster recovery center location by the end of the week.
