Sunday, September 16, 2018

Hoke County - Florence Update

Sunday, Sept. 16, 5 p.m.

At 5 p.m. more heavy rain is still possible as a particularly nasty band of rain associated with Tropical Depression Florence heads toward us from the Atlantic over the next few hours. The band has the potential for sporadic tornadoes, so citizens are advised to keep an ear toward warnings. The band's exact track is not evident. Meanwhile, flooding is widespread in Hoke County, particularly in the south, in Rockfish, and now in Raeford.

STORM HELP/INFORMATION/SHELTERS
For assistance or information about storm-related matters, or for information about the available shelters, call the Hoke County Emergency Management EOC at (910) 848-4646 or go online to www.readyhoke.org

POWER OUTAGES
Crews are out working on getting the power back on, and have restored power to about 6,000 Hoke residents so far.
Please DO NOT call 911 about your power being out. Contact your service provider or go online to their outage map to see the status of your area.
Duke Energy: 800-419-6356 | Lumbee River EMC: 800-683-5571

FOOD/WATER GIVEAWAY
Hoke County officials have announced that water, cleaning supplies and heater meals will be given away at the following locations starting at 11:00 am until 6:00 pm on Monday 9/17/2018.
Rockfish Fire Dept.
Puppy Creek Fire Dept.
Hillcrest Fire Dept.
Antioch Fire Dept.
Pinehill Fire Dept.
North Raeford Fire Dept.
All supplies will be given out on a first come first serve basis until supplies are extinguished.

MCLAUCHLIN LAKES DAM
As of 5 p.m. it appeared to still be holding but was seeing spillover. Emergency officials were on their way over to check it out again shortly after.

FLOODING
Flooding continues to spread across Hoke County as seen in the many photos we've shared and had shared with us today. Emergency Management began evacuating the Lantern Lane apartments in Raeford around 4:30 p.m. today due to flooding.
From Hoke County Emergency Management:
"As a result of the massive rains received during Hurricane Florence, many areas of Hoke County are seeing flooding and roads under water. Many roads in the Rockfish area are under water. If you begin to receive flooding in your home and need assistance call the Hoke County Emergency Operations Center at 910-848-4646."
As you can see from the many videos and photos we've been posting today, areas prone to flood are flooding. Emergency Management was set to hold a briefing with the National Guard and Coast Guard about water rescues this afternoon at East Hoke Middle School where they are stationed right now, but the briefing was postponed due to their needing to respond to a mission call.
Flooding is a serious threat. Do not walk or swim in floodwater.

CLOSURES
What's closed Monday, September 17 in Hoke County?
Hoke County Schools, Hoke County government offices. We weren't able to get an answer on whether the Raeford Post Office will be open or not and recommend calling them tomorrow to find out.

TRAVEL WARNING
From NCDOT:
"The N.C. Department of Transportation continues to urge drivers to stay off the roads, as the rain continues and conditions are getting worse by the hour. As of Sunday morning, there were more than 600 road closures across the state.
While residents may feel the need to check on homes and vacation properties in southeastern North Carolina, they will likely impede state and local response and recovery.
"The flooding we are seeing in our state is unprecedented and road conditions are changing rapidly," said state Transportation Secretary Jim Trogdon. "If you are not in an evacuation area, stay in place."
While some areas might reopen some local roads and bridges later today, travel from central to southeastern North Carolina is dangerous and unreliable.
By traveling in potentially hazardous areas, drivers are putting themselves and others at risk and impeding access for critical personnel – emergency services, utilities, road crews – responding to this storm.
GPS navigation systems also are not able to keep up with the changing road closures and are directing people onto roads that are confirmed closed and/or flooded.
To get an idea on road conditions, which are rapidly changing, go to DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter."
ROAD CLOSURES

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