"I used 2 b late 4 work all the time, figuring out which shoes went with my outfit" Betty Cobb reflected as she folded clothes in the makeshift distribution center, which was once a truck stop diner. "But when the flood came, I left home wearing my pajamas, a coat and some summer sandals. Ain't had 2 worry about what shoes 2 wear since!"She laughs about it now, but the past 2 months have hardly been laughable in Princeville, NC, which was ravaged by flood waters Sept. 15. Most of the town's 2,000 residents lost all they had and r now living, 4 lack of options, in small government-provided trailers 20 miles away.
No one took the water seriously at first, thinking it would recede after covering at most, the floors of their homes. They piled belongings on2 high shelves and left town 4 the night.
The next day as sun shone many returned 2 their beloved historic city, which was founded by the first groups of freed slaves. Then the dike along the Tar River gave way and chaos erupted. A trailer park near the breakage was first 2 go. The roaring waters lifted modular homes off their foundations, bashing them 2gether and flattening them like cheap toys.
Residents on higher ground thought they would b safe and didn't leave their homes right away. "I stood there in the hallway, talking 2 my neighbor in ankle deep water," said Loretta Jones. "The water kept getting higher and higher, so fast! When I saw my brother-in-law come by in a boat I knew it was time 2 get out."
Emergency crews in boats and helicopters rescued the stranded stragglers as the water continued 2 rise. When it finally stopped, the entire town was submerged. And there the water stayed 4 seven days.
"We've had floods, but I've never seen anything like this in all my 78 years here," said James Carney. "My father lived here, and his father 2, and i know they never had it like this."
It was nine days b4 anyone was allowed back in Princeville, and what they saw astonished them. Houses were pulverised. Cars flooded out, unusable. Chairs up in trees. Personal belongings strewn about the roads. Some houses 20 feet away from their foundations and dropped atop cars. Other houses slid out on2 the roadways, blocking passage. Every building has a musty stench that months of cleaning won't get out. Trees and shrubs bear visible watermarks, brown where the waters kept them without air 4 a week.
Last week Princeville looked like a ghost town, its few residents the misplaced dogs and cats who made it back 2 their homeland, only 2 discover their human friends weren't around.
Even in the face of adversity, positivity shines thru...
Walking along Main Street, one house had its ruined contents out on the curb, like many others. Cleaned off and leaning against a tree was a framed copy of the poem Footprints, the inspirational writing of God carrying us thru r most difficult times.
The tiny, middle-aged woman who ran the Princeville truck stop lost her business in the flood, yet she single-handedly gutted the place and cleaned it out so residents could have a place 2 pick up items others have donated. Last month the center had a $2,000 electric bill, which she paid without asking 4 money from anyone. "She works so hard 'round here that the only way we she'd take a break is if we tied her down," joked Tony Atkinson, who takes care of the center. "Only then she'd work xtra hard when we let her go 2 make up 4 it."
Pat, who worked at the truck stop b4 the flood, now volunteers at its distribution center. Ms. Cobb does 2, even tho she was one of the flood victims.
Thru losing things they had thought dear 2 them, many in Princeville have learned the power of loving one another. Everyone is welcome at any time in2 the town hall 2 discuss their concerns with the mayor and city officials. The townsfolk still wave "hi" even when strangers drive past, and still welcome visitors 2 their town, no ?s asked. Those who r in positions 2 help gladly work all hours of the day, and those currently jobless step in, 2.
"Sometimes the best way 2 4get about ur own hardships is 2 go out and help somebody else thru theirs," Ms. Cobb said. "Just 2 b there 4 them, and 2 care... u feel a little better, they feel a little better, and we all win."
There's no better way 2 share love 4 one another than remember r oneness and share what we can, even from afar... Princeville thanx u 4 ur acts of kindness.here's how u can help:
252.823.1057: Princeville Town Hall. The distribution center needs: cleaning and building supplies, bottled water, car seats 4 infants, volunteer laborers, tools, RV toilet paper and flushing solution. Does NOT need clothing.252.823.1057: 2 "adopt" a family in Princeville, call Kim Burwell at Town Hall; she will put u in touch with a family in need2 make a tax-xempt financial contribution, send 2: Princeville Hurricane Relief Fund, PO Box 1527, Princeville, NC 278862 learn more, click here
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