Last week Moore County braced for Hurricane Florence’s fury by declaring a State of Emergency. Several Mayors declared a State of Emergency for their municipalities as well. The county set up two area shelters for the public to ride the storm out.
Store owners could be seen boarding up store front windows and placing sandbags across their thresholds. Town workers cleared the accumulated pine straw from the sewers to help prevent flooding.
Swank Coffee on NW Broad St. in Southern Pines.
Hurricane Florence took her time crawling across the Sandhills pounding down on Moore. She hit the area Friday and didn’t exit until Monday.
Over 28,000 residents were held hostage without power by fierce Florence Saturday morning. That is more than half of Moore County’s homes. Residents on N. Chapin Road in Aberdeen were without electricity for six days. Massive trees were torn down by roots by Florence.
Linemen worked tirelessly to restore power, and the few area businesses that stayed open offered free coffee and food to the workers.
Downed trees at Pinehurst Golf Course near Hwy 5.
The Town of Robbins had a discharge of untreated wastewater on Saturday of an estimated 7,500 gallons at the Candor Pump Station, located near Sunset Drive in Robbins, due to a power failure at the lift station.
The untreated wastewater was discharged into Simlin Creek in the Cape Fear River Basin, said the town in a news release. Staff worked for over five hours to minimize overflow, but storm flow was such that the town’s emergency response could not fully contain the spill.
The spill was reported to state agencies Saturday evening, once the spill was contained. Robbins Town Manager David Lambert asked the public to conserve water use as well.
Trees knocked down power lines in Pinehurst
“The failure of the main pump station could have significant impact to sewer services, and residents are encouraged to conserve water in effort to reduce sewer output,” said Lambert. “Please use paper products and refrain from washing dishes, clothes, and other items at this time. It is possible that sewer could be backed up in low lying areas. Please exercise caution should you come in contact with any untreated wastewater.”
As Florence stalled across the Sandhills, major flooding occurred.
Lambert said early Monday morning N.C. Highway 705 North in Robbins was closed due to flooding on Bear Creek. Also, South Middleton Street/Talc Mine Road and Old Plank Road were closed from flooding as well. Lambert asked the public to limit travel to Robbins.
Wind gusts took out the plastic McDonald’s sign in Aberdeen
Monday morning, Robbins Fire and Rescue saved a couple and their baby when they were swept away in flood waters at Cabin Creek bridge. They were found forty feet down the creek clinging to a small tree in the swift water said the Town of Robbins in a news release.
Over 35 animals have been saved from flooding waters since Monday.
Water rescue specialists traveled from Michigan Friday to assist the Crains Creek Fire Department while help from Kentucky was sent in to Pinebluff Fire and Rescue Department.
Flooding in the Woodlake area. Photo courtesy of Cypress Pointe Fire and Rescue.
Crains Creek Fire Department said flooding occurred in the area of Riverview Acres along Crains Creek and Little River. “Please pay close attention,” said the department in a written statement. “Roads are starting to be shut down due to high water and the water is rising at a steady pace. Please be safe and help us be safe.”
Twenty-five residents from Crains Creek have voluntarily evacuated their area.
Water could be seen almost as high as the top of stop signs in the Woodlake area on Monday.
Flooding in Pinehurst
Residents reported area rainfall amounts: parts of West End was reported as having 19 inches of rain, 16 inches of rain in parts of Eagle Springs, 15.5 inches in Robbins, 14 inches in Cameron, 13 inches in Pinehurst, over 12 inches in Whispering Pines and Pinebluff, 12 inches in Cameron, 11 inches in Aberdeen, and up to nine inches of rain reported in Southern Pines.
Deep River at Hwy 22 in High falls swelled to about a foot from touching the bridge at its lowest point. Moore County resident, Bobby Hancock, said some structures around the river were partially submerged. Several structures were touching water, including residential houses.
A convoy at the U.S. Army National Guard in Southern Pines.
“The road was blocked on both ends by the High Falls Fire Department, but there was a steady stream of onlookers pouring in, taking pictures, and video. Most other roads in and around Deep River were blocked except for Howards Mill Road,” said Hancock.
Currie Mill Road outside of Jackson Springs. Photo by Sandhills Sentinel readers, Duane and Amanda Haywood
After one day of assessing damage to homes, officials estimated $696,000 in damage to 153 Moore County homes. Public schools haven’t been open since last Wednesday. Area mail delivery was suspended due to flooding and power loss of the Fayetteville Post Office.
During the storm, residents were saying, “Just go, Flo”, and that she did but not without battering Moore.
Drone Footage by Bobby Hancock, Sandhills Sentinel contributor
