Businesses assess damages in Columbus County after Idalia flooding

Businesses and residents in Columbus County are assessing the damage after Tropical Storm Idalia brought flooding to the area.

In Whiteville, the town’s downtown area was particularly hard hit. Overflow from surrounding swamps covered roads, entered businesses, and flooded homes.

Angela Mczeke, a business owner who was supposed to have her grand opening next month, watched as water swirled around her store.

“I kinda just cried a little bit and then a little bit of peace came over me,” Mczeke said.   

She says her plan is to start cleaning up and getting her business back to normal.

The Whiteville Command Center used drones to view the flooding in real-time, and emergency services made water rescues throughout the day.

“We tell people, don’t drive through flood water, they do it anyway, and their cars drowned out and we end up getting them off the roof of their car,” Hal Lowder said.

Whiteville is surrounded by three swamps and is located in a flood plain.

The city has made efforts to improve its stormwater program over the years in an attempt to mitigate the effects of flooding, but events like these still happen.

Despite the damage, people in Whiteville are trying to remain optimistic as repairs get underway.

“It is what it is and i just got to keep the best on the outside,” Lowder said.

The Highway 701 bridge, which was previously impassable, has reopened. Emergency services will need to wait until the water recedes a little more before they can begin damage assessments.