Hundreds of people, animals rescued from Lumberton floodwaters
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The Lumber River has swollen so far over its banks that it's above the water gauge.
The Oklahoma City Task Force, a water rescue crew, went door to door in Lumberton on Tuesday looking to help people who had stayed behind during Florence.
Floodwater had come up right to Summer Soesbee’s doorstep.
“It’s a little overwhelming,” Soesbee said.
She brought her daughter outside to thank the task force.
“My heart is overjoyed, and I want to hug every single one of them,” Soesbee said. “I am trying not to cry.”
Russell Mayes checked in on his father-in-law’s home, which was flooded. He said people had moved back into homes in the neighborhood last year after having to leave during Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
The Lumber River has left homes, businesses and roads underwater in Robeson County. It’s expected to crest 1 foot higher than it did during Matthew and 8 feet higher than it did following Floyd.
It’s expected to stay at major flood level through the weekend and likely into next week.
Pets among those rescued from Florence’s floodwaters
The Lumberton Rescue team was on a mission Tuesday to save dogs left by their owners in the flooded Kite Road neighborhood in Lumberton.
A Good Samaritan heard some dogs barking and called the rescue team through a devastating scene of flooded homes and cars.
The crew found three dogs and a dead newborn puppy on the back porch of a home, just inches from the water. The three dogs were brought to safety.
“People don’t realize how bad it is going to be, and then they just abandon their dog and, while I understand that you have to get your stuff to safety, your animal is supposed to be part of your family,” said Trishan Barfield with Lumberton Rescue.
Closer to the main road, people waded out to look at their homes. For the second time in two years, they may have to start over.
“Our home is the one with the white van and, not being able to go in the home, you’re not sure what’s damaged. That’s the worst part, not knowing what’s damaged in your home,” resident Melody McKeithan said.
Lumberton Rescue said they’ve evacuated about 400 people from homes and saved about 100 people from cars and high waters since Florence hit.
