There are no words to adequately express the breadth of Hurricane Florence’s impact to North Carolina and the accumulating costs. The human cost of the storm is a total of 43 lives in the Carolinas and Virginia.[1] The financial cost of the storm is estimated to be “between $38 billion and $50 billion in damage and economic losses.”[2] The environmental costs include beach erosion, downed trees, chemical spills, storm surge and flooding as well as the “added waste from thousands of dead hogs, millions of dead chickens, millions of gallons of wastewater, and coal ash from Duke’s now-flooded Sutton facility.”[3]
In a statement to the Coastal Review, J.D. Potts, Manager of the NC Recreational Water Quality Program said, “Excessive rains and flooding can cause high levels of bacteria in the water that can make people sick. Floodwaters and stormwater runoff can contain pollutants such as waste from septic systems, sewer line breaks, wildlife, petroleum products and other chemicals.”[4]
The amount of pollutants in the water is a concern throughout the state as numerous incidents of contamination have been identified. In Johnston County, the tributaries of the Holts Lake and the Neuse River have been exposed to over 109,000 gallons of untreated wastewater. According to a county press release, these overflows “were caused by excessive rainfall amounts, extreme weather conditions and flooding associated with Tropical Storm Florence, which caused rainwater, stormwater and floodwater infiltration into the county’s collection system.”[5]
In Wilmington at Greenfield Lake, more than “22 million gallons of untreated or semi-treated wastewater spilled across the region.”[6] Additionally, there was a breach of the dam at Sutton Lake, also in Wilmington, which raised high level concerns when the water levels reached a Duke Energy coal ash bin. On the matter, Duke Energy reported that tests of the water show “no impact on water quality; [however,] environmental organizations said they have seen coal ash in the water and expect to soon have results from their own water sampling.”[7]
In coastal towns such as Emerald Isle, Pine Knoll Shores and Bogue Banks, pumps have been used to deal with flooding and malfunctioning septic systems, but pumping water out raises concerns about where the contaminated water is ultimately going. Consequent warnings were issues to avoid standing water.
It has been over a month since Florence hit and much of these areas are still recuperating. Ultimately, the costs will continue to rise and the restoration of homes, infrastructure and the environment will continue for years.
[1] Murphy, Brian. “’Don’t Let Your Guard down,’ Cooper Says as NC Hurricane Florence Deaths Rise to 32.” Newsobserver, News & Observer, 2018, www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article218864235.html.
[2] Rocco, Matthew. “Hurricane Florence’s Economic Cost May Total $50 Billion: Report.” Fox Business, Fox Business, 21 Sept. 2018, www.foxbusiness.com/economy/hurricane-florence-caused-up-to-50-billion-in-damage-report.
[3] Schachtman, Benjamin. “CFPUA Addresses Concerns about Animal Waste, Biological Spills, and Coal Ash in Water Supply.” Port City Daily, 25 Sept. 2018, https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2018/09/25/cfpua-addresses-concerns-about-animal-waste-biological-spills-and-coal-ash-in-water-supply/.
[4] “Florence: Nasty Water, Mounting Damage.” Coastal Review Online, 25 Sept. 2018, www.coastalreview.org/2018/09/florence-nasty-water-mounting-damage/.
[5] Bridges, Virginia. “More than 109,000 Gallons of Untreated Wastewater Spills in Johnston County.” Heraldsun, The Herald Sun, 16 Sept. 2018, www.heraldsun.com/news/local/article218512000.html.
[6] Staff, StarNews. “HURRICANE FLORENCE: Damaging Floodwaters Slowly Receding.” Wilmington Star News, Wilmington Star News, 25 Sept. 2018, www.starnewsonline.com/news/20180925/hurricane-florence-damaging-floodwaters-slowly-receding.
[7] Staff, StarNews. “HURRICANE FLORENCE: Damaging Floodwaters Slowly Receding.” Wilmington Star News, Wilmington Star News, 25 Sept. 2018, www.starnewsonline.com/news/20180925/hurricane-florence-damaging-floodwaters-slowly-receding.
Photo Credit: Lt. Brian Lambert, Flickr
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