I remember Matthew’s impact on Lumberton 8 years later

ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. – People around Lumberton will never forget October 8, 2016. That was the day Hurricane Matthew hit.

Floodwaters from the Lumber River poured into the city.

Homes and neighborhoods were under several feet of water. The damage to an elementary school was so severe that it was never reopened.

The water in John Currie’s shop was almost waist deep. He said it was something he would never forget and that it was difficult to talk about even now.

“It…was kinda bad. You know…everything was turned upside down,” Currie said.

It took three months to reopen the business. Although they recovered after much hard work, Matthew was left with many scars.

“We probably used to have 15 to 18 people in this building, and now we have six or seven,” Currie said.

After seeing the news of the devastation caused by Helene in western North Carolina and the potential strength of Hurricane Milton as it approaches Florida, Currie feels a connection to everyone who is suffering now.

“I feel sorry for you. I really do. And it’s different than what I experienced,” he said. “I lost my business. They lost their home.”