Cumberland County Fire Station flooded

Here is a story that needs to be shared with North Carolina: Cotton Volunteer Fire Department has been in existence since 1958 serving the citizens in southern Cumberland County. During the day and night of October 8, 2016 they experienced a drastic loss while serving the citizens during Hurricane Matthew. The crews had accomplished over 70 water rescues that day when the call came over the radio that they were evacuating the station. At approximately 1100 pm Rockfish Creek experienced a flash flood, the resulting wave of water started filling the station, the last engine leaving the station had water up to the front bumper as they pulled out of the bay. The crews of Cotton Volunteer Fire Department spent the rest of the night conducting another 30-40 rescues till 800 am on October 9th. The crews were able to clean up and get some food at Gray's Creek Fire Station 24 and then staged all Station 4 equipment on Missy Byrd off of US 301. On October 10th temporary operations were setup at a nearby vacant warehouse thanks to the generosity of local businesses. Cotton Volunteer Fire Department is now working out of 107 Tom Starling Road. We are under the leadership of Fire Chief Owen Harris. Our Facebook page is Cotton Volunteer Fire Department Station 4 Inquiries can be directed to Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Dove or Engineer Mike Rowell via this email address. Thank you, Mike Rowell Fire Engineer Cotton Volunteer Fire Department Cell (910) 987-4560