LUMBERTON, N.C. – Gov. Pat McCrory said North Carolina’s death toll following Hurricane Matthew is now 28.
A total of 23,000 students will finally return to class in Robeson County Monday.He returned to Robeson County Thursday to assess the progress following Matthew.
Thursday was the first day in three weeks teachers were able to access their classrooms..
While visiting West Lumberton Elementary, Governor McCrory said officials are working to determine if schools damaged by floodwaters can be restored or if they’ll have to be demolished.
West Lumberton Elementary suffered devastating damage from flood waters.
Computer equipment, classroom furniture and most of the building sustained damage.
Teachers are also working to track down many of their students displaced by the flood.
“A lot of families you can’t get in contact with. Can’t find half of them. We’ve located some of them but not all, we’ve been through neighborhoods but our neighborhoods are disaster so there’s no one at those homes so,” said teacher Tammy Maynor.
Maynor is just one of four teachers at West Lumberton who lost their homes and vehicles in the flood.
When school resumes Monday, students from West Lumberton will have class at Lumberton Junior High School.
McCrory also toured the Lumberton water treatment plant and Sandy Grove Baptist Church.
McCrory said he wants to ensure this area stay top of mind for disaster relief assistance.
