WINDSOR, N.C. — Schools remained closed in eastern North Carolina, a city’s downtown was blocked off and waterways mixed with sewage on Friday after remnants of Tropical Storm Julia brought widespread flooding.
A news release from Elizabeth City reported that 1 million gallons of untreated wastewater flowed into the Charles Creek and the Pasquotank River.
City manager Rich Olson told the Virginian-Pilot that floodwaters had overloaded manholes, sending sewage into the city’s storm water system and on into the waterways. The leakage began Wednesday and continued for about 24 hours, the city said.
School district websites in several counties also reported closings for a second day or more, including Bertie, Currituck and Hertford.
Media outlets reported that Pender County schools are operating on a two-hour delay Friday after the area received 7 inches of rain, with more on the way.
In Windsor in Bertie County, Police Chief James Lane asked people to stay out of downtown.
He said business owners need a chance to assess damage after flood waters inundated the business district. The Cashie River reached 15 feet (5 meters) on Thursday, 2 feet (2/3 meter)above major flood stage.
Windsor Fire Chief Billy Smithwick said the river was dropping “pretty quickly” and that 35 homes had been damaged. The American Red Cross put that number at around 60 homes.
Gov. Pat McCrory declared a state of emergency in 11 counties Thursday. Windsor received a foot of rain in three days.
