Hurricane Florence: Fayetteville orders evacuations at Cape Fear and Little Rivers

Cumberland County, Fayetteville and Wade City issued a mandatory evacuation order for all residents located within one mile of the banks of the Cape Fear River and Little River, in the county of Cumberland.

The Fayetteville and Cumberland County Chiefs held a press conference Saturday afternoon to implore locals to take the threat seriously and prepare to leave if they live in areas that should be flooded by floods .

"It's real," said Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin. "We are seriously concerned about the floods. Please do not become complacent. Please do not become comfortable. "

The Little River area extends from the Cumberland-Harnett County line to Route 87 at Spring Lake, Highway 401 to Linden, Highway 217 and Luke Road. Residents are asked to leave immediately.

"The worst is yet to come, because flood waters from other areas are accumulating in the north of the county and fill the river basins beyond their capacity," local governments said in their prepared statement. They ordered everyone to leave before 3 pm

Those behind are doing so at their own risk, officials said, noting that rescue teams can not be sent to flooded areas after evacuation.

Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins can use a curfew at his discretion, Colvin said.

All lanes of Interstate 95 are closed exits 65 to 81 and alternate routes are displayed. Motorists are advised that high water has been reported off N.C. 210 in the Spring Lake area.

Hawkins said people should stay indoors, in their homes or in shelters.

The seven shelters in the county are almost half full, with 556 people starting at 11:10 am on Saturday. Mac Williams Middle School and W. T. Brown Elementary School are still powered because of generator issues. The county shelters can accommodate 1,225 people.

On the other side of the Cumberland County border in Harnett County, officials have issued mandatory evacuation orders to thousands of people in about 1,100 homes, Brian County Deputy Director said Saturday. Haney.

And while the Cape Fear River, which causes so much concern for Fayetteville, also crosses Harnett County – including in the middle of the county seat, Lillington -, authorities are more concerned about the Little River flooding around the corner. southeast of the county.

Floods are expected to begin Saturday night and continue early next week.

"The projected ridge (of the Little River), which is expected Monday, was set six feet higher than the previous record – which was during Hurricane Matthew, when we had very bad floods," he said. said Haney.

Two white water rescue teams from outside the city traveled to Harnett County on Saturday to prepare for the rescue. A team from Cary was in Dunn and a team from Davie County was in Lillington, although neither team was in contact on Saturday afternoon.

Until now, the worst effects of Hurricane Florence in this region have been caused by felled trees and partially flooded roads. The county opened several shelters for the evacuees, but a roof of Triton High School had to be evacuated. said, with the storm refugees out there moving to other local shelters.

In Lillington, much of the city had lost power on Saturday, but the downtown sports bar, the County Seat, was open and locals flocked for football games and special drinks. take a dark and stormy.