Families stay busy as flooding cancels school

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Although power is back on in some parts of Bladen County flooding and debris is creating major issues throughout the area.

The aftermath of the storm prompted Bladen County Schools to close for the rest of this week. Residents in the White Oak community say it is the worst flooding they have seen since Hurricane Hazel.

Bridges, roads, and streets throughout the neighborhood have been closed due to flooding or debris. Several roads have buckled and bridges have caved in. Tuesday morning all evacuations in the White Oak and Tar Heel area were lifted.

Those without power are finding other ways to entertain their children during the week off. Resident and grandmother of three, Suzanne Rice is keeping her family busy this week by letting them play with other children in the community, handheld video games, and television powered by a backup generator.

West Bladen High School teacher Nicole Dove said she is happy to have power and that all of her friends and family are safe. Dove added that it is times like these that really bring the community together.

“They’ve come together, even with the people on Burney Road that have been evacuated. A lot of them didn’t leave because we have neighbors that look out for each other, they have boats so everyone’s really come together whether it was gas, food, whatever,” Dove said.

Dove hopes the days missed this week will be forgiven since it is considered a state of emergency. Right now there is still no word on when Bladen County Schools will reopen.