We are through the worst of the wind now, with speeds today down in the 25 to 40 mph range. The big problem is now flooding. Our river, the Lumber River, is expected (tomorrow) to reach the same level it did during Hurricane Matthew in 2016, which flooded many homes and businesses, and washed away roads. This graph shows the projected flood stages for the Lumber River. The storm is making a slow U-turn around Lumberton, dumping a lot more water into the area.; expecting 12 more inches today.
Maria and I are dog-sitting for a local couple expecting a baby any day now and they needed to leave town or else face being stranded by the floods. So we have three big dogs who have been couped up with us in the house. We took them out for a long walk before dawn this morning in the heavy warm tropical rain. They loved it. And actually, though soaked to the skin, it was fun for us, too. We gave them a soapy bath before letting them back in the house. On the walk we learned that we are, indeed, locked into our neighborhood for now, at least by car. All exit roads are completely flooded. I could take a bike out. Nice thing about having the pedals high is it's easier to ride through deep water. Our city announced yesterday that our water is no longer potable, so we are drinking only bottled water. Most of the city is without power, but miraculously, ours went out several times yesterday, but came back on quickly every time. Last report I heard was six dead in southeastern NC from falling trees, electrocution, drowning, etc. I hope and pray that number doesn't climb any higher.
Jim
