Hurricane Florence was up there was one of the more devestating and destructive natural disasters of the last few years. Luckily, most people were able to get ahead of the storm to leave Wilmington before they became trapped by massive flooding. These people wish to return to check on their homes and belongings, and try to save what they can before the water washes EVERYTHING away. 

Speaking of that, Hurricane Florence did a number on the infrastructure of North Carolina, as can be expected. As of Tuesday, Sept 18th, 255 North Carolina roads remain inaccessible, which is actually an improvement from the 356 roads closed reported just the day before. 

road-flooded-wilmington-nc

"Roads are still dangerous," says Gov. Roy Cooper during a briefing on Tuesday. "And new road closings are still happening."

Entire counties are being cut off from access. Places like Pender, New Hanover, and Brunswick counties are all inaccessible to road traffic. There are ways to drive into Wilmington, but authorities are not disclosing these locations to the public. They want to keep these routes open to first responders. Also these routes are not safe, flooded roads have the potential to crumble underneath their own weight, as shown in the image above. 

 

Here is a list of currently closed highways, interstates, and roads in North Carolina

Interstate 40 from exit 385 to New Hanover county line. 

Interstate 95 S from I-40 in Johnston County to exit 65 ac NC82

US 301 in areas in Cumberland and Robeson counties

US 74 is closed from I-95 to Columbus County line

Several sections of US17 in Brunswick County

State Highways like NC 41, 50, 53, 58, 210, and 242 through Bladen, Duplin, Pender, and Jones counties. 

Also, we wouldn't advise attemping backroads, hundreds of those are closed due to flooding as well, and you migt find yourself trapped by water without realizing it. 

 

“We understand that many people are anxious to return home or visit property they have down east,” Abbott said in an email. “However, road conditions are still constantly changing as rivers and creeks rise, and more trees and power lines go down. .... For that reason we are still asking people to stay off the roads in the heavily impacted areas for their safety, and to allow first responders, power crews, DOT crews and others involved in recovery to get to those areas to make sure they are indeed safe.” - NCDOT spokesman Steve Abbott.