Gov. McCrory talks rebuilding for areas damaged by Matthew

BLADENBORO, NC (WWAY) — More than three weeks after Hurricane Matthew ripped through the region, Governor Pat McCrory was in Southeastern North Carolina to check on the recovery from the storm.

The floodwaters have gone down and most people are back at school and work, but many agree the clean up process is far from being over.

“Matthew was the worst,” Business owner Donald Helms said. “Floyd was bad, but Matthew was the bad guy.”

Helms owns Bladenboro Eye Clinic and says Matthew destroyed every room in his building creating an absolute nightmare.

“You know you wake up at 2:30 at night, and you just cry and pray, because that’s all you can do,” Helms said.

Helms is looking for options to get back on him and his employees back to work.

“I have five wonderful employees, and they are very dear to my heart,” Helms said. “They have children. They have college children. And they are like the rest of us. They have expenses.”

Governor Pat McCrory visited Bladenboro Monday and spoke with business owners like Helms to figure out how to help.

“You have to see it to believe it,” Gov. McCrory said. “You have to see it, meet the people, hug the people and frankly deal with the issues of mold and damage.”

McCrory says he will meet Tuesday with the Hurricane Matthew task force to discuss a total assessment of where the damage is and the cost of the storm.

“Now the rebuilding process begins,” Gov. McCrory said. “Rebuilding of people, rebuilding of businesses, rebuild homes and roads.”

McCrory was also in Fair Bluff Monday meeting with residents and discussing how he can help get them back on their feet.

“We need to have them rebound as quick as possible,” Gov. McCrory said.

But with all of the negative that happened because of mother nature, there is surely no lack of hope.

“I lost my business, my practice, temporarily,” Helms said. “I said temporarily, because I’m very much eager to get back to work.”

McCrory says they plan to release the information they discuss during tomorrow’s meeting as soon as possible.