One Hampstead community says they are not letting go

HAMPSTEAD, NC (WWAY) — One Hampstead community is still seeing the effects of widespread flooding from rising river levels reaching 7 to 10 feet at the Northeast Cape Fear River and residents are not letting go of their homes.

The residents asked that we not disclose the exact location within the Hampstead area.

Most have evacuated the homes in this area and are staying in nearby areas but the residents are concerned about what was left behind.

Some families are navigating their way through the flooded waters in this community by boat using remains of street signs, rooftops and mailboxes to guide them home.

The Hieber family has been actively trying to keep the community safe and help neighbors that have evacuated.

The residents say they are concerned about how the county has been treated throughout this process. They are thankful that Pender, New Hanover and Randolph officials are starting to patrol the area.

Long-time resident Kristen Hieber says the area flooded the surrounding area and then funneled inward which trapped many residents in this community making for evacuation difficult once Florence hit the area. The waters these residents are battling are flooded waters reaching from the Northeast Cape Fear river combined with sewage and other waste. So, the biggest problem that remains is that many homeowners are not under flood insurance because they were not expecting to be affected by a flood event as they are technically not in a flood zone.

“New Hanover county everywhere you go there is Red Crosses set up,” says Resident Paul Hieber.  “All these disaster relief places are there to help down in Wilmington where there is nothing like this.”

The Hiebers say they need more help patrolling their homes.

Emergency Management says they’ve rescued more than 1,800 people in Pender County and are slowly making their way with recovery. Pender County was heavily impacted by the devastating storm. Officials stress that they are doing their best to help everyone throughout the county.

One resident, Greg Lovell, is leading this particular Hampstead community in efforts to restore the area and asks that anyone interested in lending a hand contact him directly at 910-523-8774.