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McCrory, other state leaders tour flood-ravaged parts of northeastern NC

Gov. Pat McCrory and other state emergency management leaders toured parts of northeastern North Carolina on Monday to assess the damage left behind by last week's flooding.

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WINDSOR, N.C. — Gov. Pat McCrory and other state emergency management leaders toured parts of northeastern North Carolina on Monday to assess the damage left behind by last week's flooding.

Parts of Bertie County received as much as 17 inches of rain as the remnants of Tropical Storm Julia lingered in the eastern part of the state last week, and some of the county saw flood waters inundate both homes and businesses.

The Cashie River reached 15 feet on Thursday, 2 feet above major flood stage, and Windsor Fire Chief Billy Smithwick said at least 35 homes were damaged.

Emergency officials made more than 100 water rescues in and around the town of Windsor. More than 60 people were rescued from homes in Bertie County, and another 60 were rescued from nursing home facilities as waters rose.

Resources from the state's Emergency Management response team rolled into the area on Sunday to help residents begin to clean up and recover. An expandable tractor-trailer will serve as office space for Bertie County emergency services and agricultural extension agents as damage in the area is assessed.

"I'm extremely proud of the strength and resilience residents of northeastern North Carolina have shown in responding to this historic flood event," McCrory said in a statement Monday.

“Thanks to the quick deployment of swift water rescue teams and emergency responders, as well as neighbors helping each other, everyone has remained safe. I am committing state resources to help the impacted areas recover as quickly and efficiently as possible so folks can return to their homes and businesses can get back to work.”

Eleven counties were under a state of emergency following the flooding.

The state Department of Transportation is also assessing whether floodwaters damaged any state roads in the region. Three primary routes – U.S. Highway 17 Business in Windsor, U.S. Highway 13 north of Windsor and N.C. Highway 45 in Hertford County – were closed last week due to flood damage. About 15 secondary roads remain closed on Monday.

State environmental officials are also assessing water systems, animal operations, wastewater treatment and water treatment plants for possible damage, McCrory said in a statement.

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