Gov. Cooper: We are struggling to get routes open

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Across southeastern North Carolina, thousands of residents are stranded by rising waters from Florence’s floods.

Wilmington still remains virtually isolated from the remainder of the state due to flooding that has engulfed entire sections of Interstate 40, Highway 17 and Highway 74/76.

Meanwhile, hundreds of electric lineman from across the state and the country have arrived to assist with a massive effort to restore power to thousands of customers served by Duke Energy/Progress, Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation and Four County Electric Membership Corporation.

According to the Associated Press, the death toll includes 26 fatalities in North Carolina and officials are deeply concerned that as rivers crest and the rising floodwaters could cause additional deaths.

“We had flooding from the storm surge that people in the southeastern part of the state experienced along with significant flash flooding,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said. “Now we’re having river flooding, many of our rivers are approaching dangerous flood levels and the flooding is only going to increase in those areas.”

That’s why its extremely important for residents in flood-prone or low-lying areas to obey local evacuation orders.

“Don’t make yourself somebody who needs to be rescued,” Cooper said.

Even though several days have passed since Hurricane Florence came ashore, officials say its still important for people to stay off the roads.

“We are struggling to get routes open to places like Wilmington, Columbus County, and Brunswick County–a lot of communities surrounded by water,” and Cooper added, “The road situation is very dynamic from hour to hour.”

“As we struggle to keep routes open that close up again, we don’t need people out on the road unless you absolutely have to be there because we need our first responders, our medical people, our supply trucks and our utility workers to be able to get through,” he said.

Until power is completely restored and damage to the state’s primary and secondary roads can be assessed, the Governor strongly recommends that people to stay home.

“I know people are frustrated from having to wait indoors for so long and many people are without power – that has got to be very difficult – but even as we speak we are pulling out of floodwaters and are rescuing people.”