The North Carolina Emergency Management officials confirmed yesterday that the number of deaths in the state attributed to Hurricane Matthew now stands at 26.
Officials added that, as of early Sunday morning, four areas remain in a major flooding condition as river levels begin to drop. According to predictive analysis by North Carolina Emergency Management officials, all rivers are forecast to be below flood stage by 24 October, with Greenville, Tarboro and Goldsboro returning to normal by Thursday, 20 October.
Flooding along the Lumber, Cape Fear, Neuse and Tar rivers have crested except for short reaches as the rivers approach the coast. The peak on the Lumber River has moved into South Carolina.
The Tar River at Greenville, Neuse River near Goldsboro, Neuse River at Kinston and the Neuse River at Fort Barnwell are still designated as having major flooding conditions.
The Northeast Cape Fear River near Burgaw, the Tar River at the US 264 bypass near Rock Springs, the Contentnea Creek at Hookerton and the Tar River at Tarboro remain in the moderate flooding stage.
North Carolina Emergency Management officials said that 32 shelters remain open, assisting a population of 2,179 people.
There have been 2,336 water rescues to date, and more than 570 roads remain closed.
State environmental health experts are cautioning residents affected by the floodwaters from Hurricane Matthew to exercise extreme caution when re-entering their homes. Hazards include electrical, wildlife, mold, sewage and contaminated food.
For more information about returning to a flooded building, see the statement from North Carolina department of Public Safety here.
