Hurricane Matthew Update: Q&A with Columbus County EMS

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — We reached out to emergency management for Columbus County to find out the latest on how Hurricane Matthew is impacting their community. We have updates on shelter closings, dangerous roads in the area and what residents in the county need to know.

Here is the Q&A with Public Information Officer Bill Clarke.

How many shelters will be open today and when will they will close?
As of right now 147 people are at West Columbus High School, and 63 people are at Edgeville Elementary School. Both shelters will remain open until they are no longer needed.

How many power outages in Columbus County?
Ten-thousand people are without power as of noon Tuesday. Five power substations were knocked out in the Hurricane, and three are now working, but two substations that distribute power to Whiteville and Fair Bluff are still down. Clarke says Duke Energy is bringing in another substation to Whiteville, and they hope to have it working by tomorrow morning to provide more electricity. The hospital is also running on a back-up generator.

Any road closures to warn people about?
Highway 701 North into Whiteville is washed out, and Highway 74 at Boardman is still closed. Avoid NC 130 at Babsons Crossing and Soles Road, because they are also closed due to flooding.

Flooding in the area? What are spots to avoid?
Western part along Lumber River, especially the town of Fair Bluff is 85 percent under water. There are new evacuations for people from Boardman along the river where 74 crosses Boardman, because there is a potential for more flooding from the Lumber River and Waccamaw River. There is Crusoe Island flooding and Waccamaw all the way down into South Carolina and continued problems with roads and flooding.

Debris still an issue? Any other debris guidelines for viewers?
Clarke says debris is still an issue, but not a priority because fire departments and rescue departments have been clearing it out. They are telling residents to take debris to the County Leaf and Limb site at no charge in Whiteville.