Florence Visits Fayetteville
posted by Nieema Williams | October 3, 2018 | In NewsHurricane Florence disrupted the lives of many North and South Carolinians as well as parts the lives of people in Virginia and Maryland. This Cape Verde storm caused severe and extensive damage. Florence originated from off the coast of Africa August 31, 2018 and touched land in the Carolinas on, September 19, 2018. At last count 48 people died as a result of the storm, 37 of which were in North Carolina, according to the Associated Press.
The after effects have lasted much longer. More than 1,500 N.C. and S.C. residents are still displaced and are recovering from their loss, according to the Associated Press. For days following the storm, water kept citizen trapped in their homes, cars and shelters. Mandatory evacuations were made on the coasts of N.C. and S.C. and locally in the mile around the Cape Fear and Little Rivers, and there was nothing that could be done except wait.
Initially predicted to be a category 4 for the Cumberland, Robeson and Bladen counties, the storm was reduced to a category 2 but remained a threat. There was plenty of rain expected, the highest winds reached 105 mph, according to the Washington Post.
Today with Florence in our rear view, people are recovering and starting anew. Unlike Hurricane Matthew in November of 2016, better preparations were made. Communities braced the effects of this storm before and after, as if customary. Those managed to leave, left sooner and quicker. Shelters prepared for more than enough residents, more relief aid was sent from organizations such as the Red Cross, FEMA, the National Guard and local law enforcement. Linemen from all over the U.S. came to help where needed and trucks carrying supplies pushed through high standing waters determined to make their deliveries.
Fayetteville State University’s Chancellor James Anderson, spoke about FSU’s community safety efforts and preparations for Hurricane Florence, “The effects of Hurricane Florence impacted three UNC campuses in particular: FSU, UNC Wilmington, and UNC Pembroke. Each campus initiated pre-hurricane activities and decisions in preparation for a potential weather catastrophe. At Fayetteville State University before, during, and after the storm several groups engaged in 24-7 support of the university and its students.” He continued. “They are the FSU Business office and Facilities staff, the Division of Student Affairs, Housing and Residence Life, the Director of Emergency Management, and the University Police Department. Also, the vendor that provides meals, ARAMARK, effectively worked with the university.”
Chancellor Anderson concluded: “I personally witnessed their constant attention to every issue, incident, or calls associated with the hurricane.”
Churches, schools and businesses have organized to give back to the locals while they wait for their lives to resume. All races, all denominations and organizations have pulled together to put our communities back upright. There have always been quips made about Carolina hospitality such as: Hospitality is simply an opportunity to show love and care.
Dominque Elliott contributed to this story.
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