HAMLET— While Richmond County was spared the type of destruction experienced by other counties in North Carolina from Hurricane Florence, some first responders are doing what they can to help others.
At noon Thursday, the Hamlet Police Department began filling its enclosed traffic trailer with donated supplies. Although officers haven’t yet determined where the supplies will be going, Capt. Randy Dover said residents in Robeson County will more than likely be the recipients … again.
“We did it for Hurricane Matthew and the community really turned out for that,” Dover said, adding that the trailer “was pretty full” in 2016.
Scotland County, which is also dealing with flooding, is a possibility, but Dover said Robeson County is “the main concern.”
Dover was born and raised in Scotland County and said he’s “never seen flooding like this.”
Patrolman Matthew Lee lives about two miles from the Lumber River and said the conditions are worse than they were with Matthew.
According to Lee, Robeson County officials said it could be another week before flood water recede.
Dover said the department is collecting water, canned goods, toiletries, baby wipes, diapers, flashlights, batteries and other items to help those affected by the storm.
By late Thursday afternoon, supplies had been placed in one corner of the trailer including two bags of dog food, several cases of water and roll of paper towels.
Dover said the department plans to deliver the trailer on Oct. 1.
Anyone with questions about donating is encouraged to call Dover at 910-995-6633.
Donation collections aren’t the only way Richmond County’s first responders have contributed to storm relief efforts.
While picking up a dispatcher from the Maxton area during the storm on Saturday, Lee and Sgt. Anthony Jacobs rescued a man from a submerged car.
The two officers were on U.S. 74 near Laurinburg when they saw a car a few vehicles ahead hydroplane and veer off into a flooded ditch. They waded out into the water and pulled him to safety.
On Sunday, members of Cordova Fire and Rescue and a swiftwater rescue team from New Hampshire were sent to Scotland County to help save residents from rising waters.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office sent four deputies to help in Lenoir County, where U.S. 70 is closed due to the rising Neuse River, according to Maj. Jay Childers. He added the sheriff’s office is also assisting Scotland County with detention officers due to flooding at that jail.
The East Rockingham Fire Department sent its brush/tanker to Mountain Creek because of the threat of high water in the northwest area of the county, according to a Facebook Post. Deputy Chief Bill Bayless said the department also housed deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and has been providing food to first responders in Scotland County.
