Mecklenburg County Faces Recovery After Storm’s Wrath
Mecklenburg County is working diligently to recover from the severe storm that recently swept through the area, causing significant flooding near Mountain Island Lake and the Catawba River. Last week, the torrential rains left around 100 homes displaced, and emergency recovery efforts have been in full swing since then.
Ongoing Recovery Efforts
On Monday, Paige Grande, a spokesperson for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management, updated the community on the ongoing recovery efforts. She explained that while help is on the way, it might take a little longer for some residents to return to their homes. The assessment process for damages must be completed first, and thankfully, safety is the top priority.
“We’re still waiting on the waters to recede in order for it to be safe to begin to do initial assessments and damage reports so that we can make sure that we are getting people what they need,” said Grande. Depending on the level of water damage, the timeline for returning home will vary. If a house only faces flooding in the basement, residents may see progress soon. But should there be damage affecting multiple floors or critical electrical systems, the wait could stretch on for a while longer.
Prioritizing Safety and Assistance
As part of the recovery process, the focus remains primarily on safety. Grande stated, “We’re prioritizing safety at this time, so working with residents individually to determine when they are safe to move back.” These careful measures ensure that families can return home without further risk.
Power Restoration Progress
In terms of power supply, most of Mecklenburg County has seen a restoration of electricity. On Monday afternoon, just over 2,000 customers were still without power, as noted by Duke Energy’s outage map. The company has also been keeping a close eye on lake levels and reported that normal full pond at Mountain Island Lake is at 96 feet. Over the weekend, the water level reached as high as 103.6 feet, prompting Duke Energy to push excess water into South Carolina to help manage the situation following the storm’s impact.
Financial Assistance on the Horizon
The declaration of a local and state emergency has also opened the doors for financial assistance for residents affected by the storm. Grande noted that while help is on the way, heavily damaged areas in western North Carolina are currently a priority for resources, which may affect the timeline for assistance to locals.
A Community Mourns
Sadly, the storm took a tragic toll when a resident, Tony Taylor, lost his life after a tree from a neighbor’s yard fell onto his home in Charlotte. His wife, Sandy Lucille Taylor, and their four children managed to survive the storm, but the loss of “such a kind and loving man” has left a profound void in their lives. A GoFundMe campaign was launched for the family, highlighting the impact Tony had on those around him. “Uncle Tony was a friend to everyone,” stated a supporter.
School Closures and Updates
In light of the storm, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools were closed on Monday, but they announced that classes will resume on Tuesday. Parents and students can look forward to getting back to their regular routines as the recovery efforts continue to unfold.
As the community rallies together during this difficult time, efforts to restore homes and safety will remain the focus. The spirit of resilience shines through, reminding everyone that though challenges may come, support and help will always be on the way.
