Floods continue to devastate small N. Carolina town

by Karen Hopkins

WINDSOR, NC --- The Cashie River has overflowed severely, shutting down the small town of Windsor. About 100 homes are destroyed or heavily damaged. Families fear they've lost everything. Charlotte Wallace's 80-year-old mother, is like most without flood insurance.

"We're trying to salvage what we could. The rest will be gutted."

Trash and debris float down the streets. Bubbling up is raw sewage. Public information officer Joe Alexander says the environmental protection agency will test the river next week. There's also floating gas tanks that could explode if knocked the wrong way. The city is calling in a special team to remove the danger.

About ten years ago, Hurricane Floyd flooded the town. Now family businesses have to rebuild again in an already tough economy.

"I feel these people will make it because of the people of Windsor," Alexander said.

The people are doing all they can, like taking care of rescued animals from the Zoo. Two buffalo are staying behind the fire department.

The volunteer fire fighters rescued families from their homes.

"This is like the Mayberry of the 1950s. If somebody has a tragedy, everybody pulls together," Alexander said.

The city has opened a shelter, but nearly everyone homeless is staying with neighbors. Families and friends share home cooked meals and come together in prayer. Wallace hopes her mom will find the strength to overcome this disaster.

"We'll take it one day at a time."

Alexander says by Sunday night, the water should be cleared out of the town. The city will start documenting the damage,hoping to be reimbursed by the federal government. Windsor has a $4 million emergency fund set aside.

Police have set a curfew for the town, from 8pm to 6am. Officers are watching over flooded homes and businesses.

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• WINDSOR
• NC
• flooding
• flood
• buffalo