John Trump writes for Carolina Journal’s Daily Journal:
Union Point Park in New Bern was mostly underwater, barely recognizable. An extension of the Neuse and Trent rivers.
But, watching on TV, we could tell it was — will again be — a park. Some benches were only half submerged, a few wooden slats visible among the floodwaters. Facing what once was a shoreline.
In Fayetteville, we followed the ominous rise of the Cape Fear River. We used a railroad trestle to mark the water’s progress. We watched as Hurricane Florence lifted that water toward that bridge. Then to it. We could only hope they would recede. Only pray that this storm would show some mercy.
Just two cities in a state of 100 counties, all affected, in one way or another, by this historic storm. A state that took on more than 8 trillion gallons of water, flooding roads, homes, farms. Taking 27 lives. More will be lost. That’s what a hurricane, especially one such as this, does.
We will recover and rebuild. We always have. We will again. And again.
The federal and state government have and will play large, crucial roles in the recovery, as will the military, first responders, and other law enforcement entities.
But the core of the recovery will be found in homes and neighborhoods. In churches and businesses. It’s where the heart will beat the loudest under the strains and burdens of the coming months.
Read more here.
