Lumberton is working feverishly to build a dam ahead of Dorian
LUMBERTON, N.C. (WPDE) — Lumberton City Public Works and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are working to build a dam to stop any potential flooding in South West Lumberton from Hurricane Dorian, according to Lumberton City Councilman John Cantey.
Hundreds lost their homes to flooding in the community during Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence last September.
Cantey said the dam will be 12 feet tall at completion and will remain in place until permanent flood gates are built.
“Many of our citizens have been concerned about the possibility flooding," Cantey wrote in a post on Facebook. "Our Public Works Dept. along with the Army Corp of Engineers has met and designed a #HescoBarrier at the VFW Road area where Flood waters has entered previously."
"The dam is expected to be 12 feet high and will remain in place #Permanently until our #Floodgates are built. Our director of PW is confidently that this will prevent water from Dorian entering our Communities. We will be working throughout the night and tomorrow to complete this dam," Cantey continued in the post.
Cantey said the city is also working build another dam around a substation in Southwest Lumberton to prevent possible flooding and loss of power.
The city councilman said they’re working with Duke Energy on the project.
He posted the following message on Facebook:
“#DukeEnergyCrews building #TigerDam around substation to prevent flooding and loss of power.
They are working Day and Night on POD4...which is 200 yards from my house and 50 yards from Lumber River. NO SLEEP OR REST FOR US ALL.
"We are hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.”
