In devastating news, the death toll in North Carolina alone has risen to 19 in the wake of Hurricane Matthew’s destruction. President Obama declared a federal emergency as floodwaters in 35 counties continue to rise. Governor McCrory urged residents to to evacuate from still threatened areas.
“We’ve had too many deaths,” said McCrory. “Get out. Once the water flows, it’s too late.”
Most of the fatalities occurred when motorists were swept away on flooded roads. There were 50 rescues on Tuesday night, with 80 air rescues overall since Hurricane Matthew made landfall in North Carolina. There are 3,800 people displaced from their homes in shelters across the state.
McCrory went on to call on the community to come together, “we must do all we can to help those with nothing left.”
The Greenville airport and schools in 34 counties will remain closed for the rest of the week.
The death toll for the hurricane in the country has risen to 34.
