Coastal towns flooding, prepping for more

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — Heavy rain and high tides are affecting areas on the coast and more rain is in the forecast.

It’s on the road.

“This is an extreme,” Fishy Fishy Cafe Kitchen Manager Joe Bartolotta said.

It’s in the parking lots.

“The whole place is just flooded,” Homeowner Bryson Epting said.

It is also in Epting’s front yard.

“It’s the first time we’ve had it in the yard and in the driveway,” Epting said.

Epting said people on Yacht Basin Drive in Southport are used to flooding, but he said this time is different.

“With the lunar high tides and new moon you’ll get flooding, but nothing like it’s been with us lately,” Epting said.

Across the street, Fishy Fishy Cafe Kitchen Manager Joe Bartolotta is pulling out the bridge.

“It’s a normal thing down here for the water, so we had these bridges built, so people can not get wet and have a safe journey in and out,” Bartolotta said.

He also said something is fishy this time.

“This looked like a lake,” Bartolotta said. “Lake Fishy Fishy if you will. Normally it’s not this high.”

High water can also be found on the beaches. North Topsail Beach town leaders are monitoring advanced erosion. Surf City leaders are closing public beach accesses, because of debris and Oak Island officials are repairing potholes.

“Between the storms and the high tide, it’s probably been as about as bad other than a big storm that I’ve seen,” Epting said.

A big storm could be next as hurricane Joaquin churns in the Atlantic, but it’s not causing too much concern yet.

“I’m not concerned, but if a big storm did come in here, I’m not going to be around,” Epting said.

Bartolotta said Fishy Fishy Cafe will open late Thursday and Friday. Yacht Basin Provision Company will be closed until Friday.