GOLDSBORO — As residents in the eastern part of North Carolina try to get their lives back in order, their efforts are being hampered by more rain. In Wayne County, the Neuse River is already 15 feet above flood stage and rising.

The City of Goldsboro is underwater. Ten percent of the county, or 45,000 acres, is covered in flood water. As many as 2,500 homes and businesses have been damaged. Most people are not yet able to access their property.

From a distance, it is easy to see what kind of damage the water has caused. It is harder to see the damage to people's hearts.

Richard Willis' home in the Marmack community was flooded during Hurricane Fran. Thanks to Hurricane Floyd, it is underwater once again.

"It's all gone. It's beyond fixing again," says Willis.

Areas like Washington Park in Goldsboro are still under water. The only way to get into the area is by boat.

Bill Sutton moved into his Washington Park home just four weeks ago.

"I can see my home, I can see water. I just don't know the extent of the damage, but I know it will be a lot," he says.

Michelle and Jerome Council check their street, Carver Boulevard, every day. For the Councils and others, homeiswhere the heart is.

"It breaks my heart, I've been here 30 years and it just breaks my heart," says a teary-eyed Lois Buday.

Emergency management officials say the Neuse River is down two-tenths of an inch. The river is expected to crest on Wednesday.

It will be several days to a week or more before residents will be able to return to their homes.

A 24-hour curfew remains in effect in areas where there is severe flooding.