Highway 53 closed due to flooding

PENDER COUNTY, N.C. (WWAY)– The North Carolina Department of Transportation has closed NC Hwy 53 from I-40 to NC Hwy 50 towards Maple Hill due to flooding from nearby rivers.

Emergency management is closely monitoring the Northeast Cape Fear River and the Black River, which have both overflowed.

At the NC Hwy 53 bridge, the water level is currently at 16.3 feet and is expected to crest at 16.5 feet tomorrow.

Pender County’s Emergency Operations Center is activated and prepared to respond to any water rescue calls in case of emergency.

Tommy Batson, Director of Pender County Emergency Management, emphasized the importance of heeding road closure barricades:

“If you see a barricade, stop and turn around. The road may be compromised or completely washed away. There have already been fatalities in other areas where people drove around barricades and into water. The water could be just a few inches deep or as much as 5 or 6 feet deep, which can float a car and sweep you away. We have not had any fatalities so far, and I hope to maintain that record throughout this event.”

Highway 53 from Burgaw to Maple Hill will be closed for the remainder of the week.