Relief Efforts Making Progress in Central and Eastern North Carolina | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: Stay connected to BCN for all of our many Hurricane Mathew updates.

Press Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory is urging people to be aware of dangerous conditions that persist in flooded areas even as relief efforts are making progress in central and eastern North Carolina in response to Hurricane Matthew.

    "Although floodwaters are receding and relief efforts are making progress, all residents and visitors need to remain vigilant in areas that were impacted by Hurricane Matthew," said Governor McCrory. "We will continue working together with local and federal partners to help those in need."

    A recently-discovered fatality in Lenoir County brings the number of storm-related fatalities to 26.

    Federal assistance is available for individuals in 27 counties. More than $21.9 million in federal funding has already been approved for individual assistance and 40,000 people have already registered for assistance.

    More than 6,000 residents impacted by Hurricane Matthew have been assisted by North Carolina's 2-1-1 hotline.

    The number of statewide power outages continues to drop, down to only 600 from a peak of more than 800,000.

    There are more than 1,000 occupants in 21 shelters open throughout the state.


    Nearly 500 roads remain closed through central and eastern North Carolina due to damage or flooding, but the North Carolina Department of Transportation announced that a section of U.S. 74 at the Robeson-Columbus County line reopened today. Governor McCrory is reminding drivers not to rely on GPS devices for road closure and detour information. Call 5-1-1 or download the ReadyNC mobile app for the latest road conditions and updates.

    All North Carolina rivers should be below flood stage by October 24. The Neuse River at Kinston reached record-high levels and is not expected to drop below major flood stage until late Wednesday. The Tar River has dropped below major flood stage at Tarboro and dropped below major flood stage in Greenville this morning. The Cape Fear River has crested and is receding in all areas. The Lumber River has also dropped below major flood stage in Robeson County.

    While relief efforts are underway throughout central and eastern North Carolina, Governor McCrory stressed that Robeson County remains a top priority. A mobile hospital unit has been in use there since October 11, and residents continue to get needed prescriptions through a partnership that state and local leaders coordinated with Walmart.

    Monetary contributions to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund for Hurricane Matthew can be made by texting NCRECOVERS to 30306 or by visiting NCDisasterRelief.org. This is one of the best ways to help fund long-term recovery efforts. Additionally, information regarding monetary donations to recognize North Carolina relief organizations can be found at NCVoad.org, a fast, flexible and effective method of assisting North Carolinians who are in need.

• Monetary contributions help ensure a steady flow of important services to those impacted.
• Monetary contributions to recognized disaster relief organizations are a fast, flexible and effective method of donating. Organizations on the ground know what items and quantities are needed.
• Local organizations spend the money in the local affected community, accelerating its economic recovery.
• Monetary donations, rather than un-solicited donated goods, avoid the complicated, costly and time-consuming process of collecting, transporting and distributing these goods.

    For more information about hurricane recovery in your area, call 2-1-1. For more details about Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, visit the Hurricane Matthew resource site. Follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook for the latest on Hurricane Matthew.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov