Evacuations ordered along N.C.'s Neuse River in Matthew aftermath
FAYETTEVILLE, North CarolinaOfficials report the death toll linked to Hurricane Matthew in North Carolina has risen to 12 after the body of a 75-year-old man was discovered inside his car in Gates County, according to the Associated Press.
There have been 26 deaths attributed to the hurricane in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
The state Emergency Operations Center said authorities received a report of a missing man on Sunday, and that the last ping on his cell phone came at 1:17 p.m. and was traced to an area of N.C. 32 near Gatesville which had been flooded.
When the flood waters began to recede on Monday, the car was located and the body was found inside.
The man’s identity hasn’t been released.
Dangerous flooding is expected along the Neuse River at Kinston, North Carolina, where a mandatory evacuation was ordered on Monday afternoon, CBS affiliate WNCN reports.
In that area of Lenoir County, the Neuse River is at about 21 feet, which is already 7 feet above flood stage.
Officials say that as water runs downstream it could go as high as 26 feet later in the week.
The mandatory evacuation is for residents and businesses along the Neuse River in Lenoir County, including Kinston, starting at 2 p.m. Monday.
Lenoir County is still under a state of emergency, which was put into effect last week just before Hurricane Matthew hit North Carolina.
The Neuse River in Kinston was at 20.8 feet as of 5 a.m. Monday. Flood stage is at 14 feet and the National Service is forecasting the river to continue to rise to a mark of over 26 feet by early Friday.
Gov. Pat McCrory toured several areas Monday in Fayetteville that experienced devastating flooding following Hurricane Matthew, CBS affiliate WNCN reports.
While surveying the damage, McCrory said at least $12 million in federal funds would help North Carolina recover.
McCrory said more damage related to the storm could be ahead. He urged residents to be safe.
“Don’t do anything foolish to put self or family in harm’s way or first responders in harm’s way,” McCrory said.
Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson joined the governor in thanking first responders.
Mattock Memorial AME Zion Church on Gillespie Street in downtown Fayetteville sustained heavy water damage after several inches of water entered the building.
“It’s very hurtful and unimaginable to see conditions like this in church,” said church member Maretha White Lewis.
Directly across the street from Mattock, a massive sink hole opened in another church’s parking lot.
On the other side of downtown, Lafayette park suffered bad damage as flood waters rushed through the area.
“There are a lot of people hurting right now in this region,” McCrory said.
Business owner Bobby Swilley said flooding destroyed his office of more than 30 years.
“We’re not the kind of people asking for handouts. Do need help, don’t need delays,” Swilley said.
Meanwhile many trees remain down throughout the county.
McCrory said his biggest concern is now helping those without flood insurance.
Cumberland County officials said two of four people missing after the storm are now accounted for.
The Fayetteville Police Department said Boris Abbey, 43, is missing following Matthew. Abbey was last seen in the area of Morganton Road and Westlake Apartments around 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Christy Woods, 45, was last seen in the area of the 1900 block of Ireland Drive Sunday just after noon. Police said Woods disappearance may not be related to the storm.
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said the state is now in support mode after Hurricane Matthew thrashed the coast and parts of the Pee Dee on Saturday, CBS affiliate WCSC reports.
As a result of the damage created by the storm, Haley says she has already requested expedited disaster funding from the federal government for 13 counties.
Four islands remain closed because of major flooding and debris issues: Hilton Head Island, Fripp Island, Hunting Island, and Harbor Island.
Matthew made landfall Saturday morning in South Carolina as a category 2 storm at McClellanville -- the same town that incurred the wrath of Hurricane Hugo 27 years ago.
The concern post-Matthew now lays with river flooding from the Little Pee Dee River, the Waccamaw River, and the Lumber River.
Roads and bridge closures also remain an issue, SCDOT Director Christy Hall said. At last check, 1,400 highway workers are trying to get 390 roads and bridges back open following Matthew.
Haley also said over 2,000 evacuees are still using 43 open shelters.
Power remains an issue for large portions of the state. Haley said at last check, almost 475,000 power customers around the state remain without power, but that number continues to decline as power companies work to restore service.
Still, Haley remained optimistic about state recovery efforts.
“While we are dealing with challenges, we are moving forward,” Haley said. “Every day gets a little bit better.”
There will be a curfew in effect for Hilton Head, Harbor, Hunting and Fripp islands Monday night from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. Tuesday, CBS affiliate WTOC reports.
There has also been some confusion regarding re-entry passes and who is authorized to enter the still restricted Hilton Head, Harbor, Hunting and Fripp islands. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management issues re-entry passes well in advance of hurricane events to those critical to the re-entry process.
Business passes issued by South Carolina Emergency Management are to validate the business as a vetted and legitimate, not for the purpose of re-entry as a critical part of the process, according to the BCSO.