Early Thursday morning, the National Weather Service declared a Flash Flood Emergency following over 8 inches of rain. Bladen County Emergency Services also issued a voluntary evacuation order for residents in and around the former textile community.
Cleanup efforts have begun in the small town of Bladenboro, North Carolina, after Tropical Storm Debby brought heavy rainfall that inundated the area Wednesday night.
"At 9:30 p.m., it was completely dry, but by 10 p.m., it was as if someone opened a floodgate," said Charles Peterson, head of Bladen County Commissioners, in an interview with FOX Weather.
By 11 p.m., downtown Bladenboro was submerged under about 4 feet of water, with roads turning into rivers, according to town officials on social media.
"We are experiencing severe flooding here, so please keep us in your thoughts and prayers," said Emily Dowless, co-owner of Market on Main. "Pray for everyone downtown, for all the homes and businesses, and especially for the safety of everyone, as material things can be replaced."
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Early Thursday morning, the National Weather Service declared a Flash Flood Emergency due to over 8 inches of rain. Bladen County Emergency Services also issued a voluntary evacuation order for residents in and around the former textile community.
Currently, no injuries have been reported.
Approximately 100 volunteers from surrounding jurisdictions, including members of the National Guard, have arrived in Bladenboro to support recovery efforts.
Downtown Bladenboro has faced significant damage from tropical storms and hurricanes in the past, including severe impacts from Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, which left the business district submerged under more than 6 feet of floodwater.
"In 2016, we were really hit hard," Peterson recalled. "We had about 6 feet of water at the main stoplight."
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By 9 a.m. Thursday, water had begun to recede in some parts of town as crews started reopening roads. Despite this progress, most downtown areas will remain closed. Peterson urged residents and visitors to stay home, emphasizing that even though roads into downtown are now open, it is important to avoid unnecessary travel.
