Study planned that could lead to raising many homes in Princeville

Hurricane Matthew in 2016 forced many residents out of the town for months -- even years. Some have yet to return. Now, nearly three years after Matthew and nearly 20 years after Hurricane Floyd nearly wiped the town off the map, a FEMA grant for Edgecombe County could set homes free from floodwaters.

It was once called Freedom Hill. In 1865, Princeville became the first community America established by freed slaves. But they were not freed from the tyranny of geography. In the lowlands, the Tar River is free to roam. Many times it's done just that to devastating results.

"We was flooded. We lost everything," Linda Staton said about what Hurricane Matthew did to her home.

Hurricane Matthew forced Staton and her family out their home for a year and a half. Back in 1999, Hurricane Floyd flooded them out.

And yet, they still pursue happiness in Princeville.

"My husband is born and raised in Princeville and he did not want to leave," Staton said.

But those trials could lead them to a higher place. The $1.1 million grant -- most of it from the feds, the rest from the state -- will study whether 75 homes can be elevated.

Staton expects her home (below photo) to be one of them.

"I love it and I know my husband will," Staton said. "And my grandkids. Because this is their future home. I just want everything to work out for the grandkids."

Shelia Battle did come back, four months after Matthew swamped her old mobile home. Many homes in Princeville sit still, almost ghostlike.

State Emergency Management officials said raising homes will make them safer and more resilient against the Tar River the next time it rises to record levels. Before that can happen, they need to make sure they're in good structural condition."

Battle said she and her neighbors have the freedom to leave. But the sign at the crossroads declares "Princeville is coming back."

Once the study is finished the results are sent to FEMA to review which homes are eligible. That's when the agency will make funds available to elevate them.