Florence's Destruction In Brunswick County

Hurricane Florence, a powerful and long-lived Cape Verde hurricane, wreaked havoc on Brunswick County in September 2018. The storm caused catastrophic damage across the Carolinas, with Brunswick County bearing the brunt of its fury. In the aftermath of the hurricane, residents of the county were left to deal with the devastation as many homes were destroyed or damaged, leaving families struggling to recover.

Stoney Creek Plantation Neighbourhood in Leland saw 44 homes flooded

Hurricane Florence wreaked havoc in Brunswick County, North Carolina, in September 2018, causing catastrophic damage and widespread flooding. Stoney Creek Plantation, a suburban neighbourhood in Leland, was one of the hardest-hit areas in the county. The storm surge and heavy rainfall turned Stoney Creek into an island, cutting off residents and causing massive flooding.

During the hurricane, 44 homes in the back end of Stoney Creek were flooded, with water levels reaching several feet and even rising to the second story in some houses. Many of these homes were not located in the floodplain, and as a result, did not have flood insurance. The floodwaters caused extensive damage, destroying belongings and leaving homes uninhabitable. The sewage system also failed, with 228,000 gallons of sewage back-flowing into the neighbourhood and houses.

The impact of the hurricane on Stoney Creek residents was devastating. Families lost precious belongings and decades' worth of memories. Some residents, like the Hubbards, decided to move on and sell their damaged homes. Others, faced with the challenge of costly repairs and the uncertainty of government assistance, sought a buyout to prevent future residents from acquiring the flood-prone properties. This buyout process, however, is complex and unprecedented in the area, creating a challenging road to recovery for those affected.

The flooding in Stoney Creek Plantation highlighted the potential inaccuracies in flood zone mapping. Residents, like Randi Jo Rooks, questioned the reliability of the flood maps, noting that they did not reflect the reality of the storm's impact. This discrepancy led to a lack of flood insurance among homeowners, further exacerbating the financial burden of the disaster. The situation in Stoney Creek underscored the need for accurate and up-to-date flood risk assessments to ensure that residents are adequately prepared and protected in the future.

The Hubbard family lost their belongings and had to sell their home

Hurricane Florence was a powerful and long-lived hurricane that caused catastrophic damage in the Carolinas in September 2018. The storm caused $24.23 billion in damage, mostly in the Carolinas, and 54 deaths.

Among those affected by the hurricane was the Hubbard family, who lived in Leland, Brunswick County, and had to sell their home. Steve Hubbard, who had lived in Leland with his family since 2015, said that he lost 41 years of marriage and a lifetime of memories. The family had survived three natural disasters, but Hurricane Florence was the first time they experienced flooding of that magnitude.

The flooding destroyed the Hubbard family's belongings, and their home was left uninhabitable. Mr. Hubbard made peace with the fact that his home would cost too much to repair and decided to sell it as is. He shared that the experience was devastating and that Hurricane Florence was a life-changing event for many.

The Hubbard family is not alone in their losses. Lisa Marion, another resident of Leland, found herself in a similar situation. She and her husband had to gut their entire home and are living in a camper in their driveway as they await government assistance, which could take years to come.

Brunswick County received $20.4 million in FEMA funding, with $6.5 million going towards individual assistance to help 1,700 families repair their homes.

Lisa and her husband are living in a camper in their driveway

Living in a camper on your property is a complicated matter and the rules vary depending on location. In general, it is legal to park an RV on private property such as your driveway, as long as it complies with local laws and regulations. However, it is usually illegal to park an RV on public streets or residential streets overnight or for extended periods.

Before parking an RV on private property, it is important to check local laws, zoning regulations, and any applicable homeowners association (HOA) rules. Size restrictions may also apply, as oversized vehicles might not be permitted. Time limits may also be in place, restricting the number of consecutive hours or days an RV can be parked.

In the case of Lisa and her husband, it is unclear whether they have checked the relevant regulations for their area. However, their situation is not unique, as many residents of Brunswick County are facing similar challenges in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.

Living in a camper can present various challenges, such as maintaining utilities and dealing with repairs and upgrades. It is important to be mindful of these potential issues and plan accordingly.

For now, Lisa and her husband are likely focused on their recovery and adapting to their current living situation. The camper provides a temporary solution while they work towards more permanent housing arrangements.

226 homes were damaged and 2 were destroyed

Hurricane Florence wreaked havoc on Brunswick County, causing significant damage and leaving many residents struggling to recover. The powerful storm, which made landfall in North Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane, brought strong winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding to the area.

In the weeks following Hurricane Florence, it was reported that a total of 226 homes in Chesterfield County were damaged, and 2 were completely destroyed. The storm's impact on housing extended beyond Chesterfield County, with flooding damaging an estimated 74,000 buildings throughout the state.

One of the hardest-hit areas in Brunswick County was Stoney Creek Plantation Neighborhood in Leland, where 44 homes were flooded. Many residents, such as the Hubbard family, lost their belongings and faced the difficult decision to sell their uninhabitable homes.

The damage caused by Hurricane Florence extended beyond physical structures. The storm's slow movement resulted in persistent rainbands over North Carolina, leading to widespread, catastrophic rainfall. The flooding was exacerbated by previous flooding during the summer, leaving the ground heavily saturated.

The impact of Hurricane Florence on Brunswick County highlights the devastating consequences of natural disasters. The road to recovery for affected residents is challenging, with some, like the Hubbard family, losing hope for restoring their homes.

Overall, Hurricane Florence caused extensive damage and disruption in Brunswick County, with 226 homes damaged and 2 destroyed, leaving residents struggling to rebuild their lives and communities.

The Riverbend neighbourhood in Burgaw saw all but two homes destroyed

Hurricane Florence wreaked havoc on Brunswick County in September 2018, causing significant damage and leaving many residents struggling to recover. The Riverbend neighbourhood in Burgaw was particularly hard hit, with all but two homes destroyed by the storm's floodwaters.

The Riverbend community, located next to the northeast Cape Fear River, thought they had taken the necessary precautions to protect their homes from flooding. However, the storm had other plans. All of the homes in the neighbourhood were built on stilts, raised 16 feet off the ground, but this proved insufficient as several feet of flooding inundated the houses. The damage was so extensive that some families couldn't access their homes until days after the storm had passed.

The families in Riverbend lost everything, and many faced challenges in the aftermath. They struggled to get contractors and adjusters to start the repair work, and the Atoigue family, fearing the spread of mould, took renovation efforts into their own hands. The entire neighbourhood banded together, helping each other out by sharing supplies and assisting with the arduous task of ripping out moulded walls. A mission group from Durham even set up in the Atoigue's driveway, providing hot meals for the displaced families.

The resilience and camaraderie displayed by the Riverbend community in the wake of Hurricane Florence's devastation is a testament to the human spirit. Despite the overwhelming loss, they supported one another through the difficult recovery process, demonstrating the power of unity and compassion in the face of adversity.

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