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FAYETTEVILLE, NC – The sixth largest city in North Carolina could experience two 500-year floods in two years.
Also in 2016, officials in Fayetteville County and Cumberland County decided to issue mandatory evacuation orders for some residents.
The orders, effective immediately, were for people living within two kilometers of the Cape Fear River or the Little River. We do not know how many people will be affected. The county has more than 323,000 inhabitants, with Fayetteville making up the largest portion of this population.
Residents had to leave at 3 pm Sunday.
The orders came hours after a joint team from the city and county encouraged a voluntary evacuation Saturday morning for residents.
Evacuations were needed to "minimize the looming threat of injury or death," the reaction team said.
"There is a risk of life-threatening flooding and those who reside in the area are in imminent danger from the floodwaters that will be coming soon."
What they are facing now with tropical storm Florence is potentially worse than two years ago, when at least four people died from the floods.
This time, the danger of flash floods is not so great. But while the rain does not stop hitting the east of the state, two rivers in the region are rising: the Little and the Greater Cape Fear.
The Cape Fear was 12.15 feet at 5 pm. Friday, according to the national meteorological service. The flood level is 35 feet. During Matthew, he reached 58 feet. On Tuesday, authorities wait more than 62 feet for the river that runs through the center of the city.
Although the storm did not look as violent as expected, it was still very dangerous, officials said. Flood waters from other areas spilled into the upstream rivers.
"All those who refuse or do not comply with this mandatory evacuation order do so at their own risk," said the official announcement, adding that rescuers and other rescuers can not save them after the evacuation time.
Emergency crews and trucks cross flooded roads in Belhaven, North Carolina.
USA TODAY & # 39; HUI
Power outages and road closures complicated the move. On Saturday morning, more than 86,000 homes were without electricity and most streetlights were not working. Part of the main highway in the area, Interstate 95, was closed from Exit 65 to Exit 81. Other routes were posted.
Track: Florence Way
More: "Uninvited Brute" Florence leaves 7 dead, nearly a million without power
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