It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Stede Bonnet Monument gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Southport, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with.”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed,”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“Always Best Care goes above and beyond to provide great care for you or your”
“I'm a beginner with the company. You must be patient when applying and beautiful things”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We”
“I contacted Shawn when my mother returned home from the hospital. There are so many”
“Watching your parents age is an emotional experience. My mother has suffered from emphysema since”
“Other Navigation through the process of finding a Memory Care Facility for my husband. The Owner.”
“Phenomenal services providing peace of mind during difficult times when your elderly loved ones need”
“I could not be happier with this service. I schedule care in 15 minute or”
“I Love Always Best Care, we have an amazing team and I am lucky to”
“I am a past client of this provider Staff helped guide and navigate options for my”
“I am a past client of this provider ABC caregivers took care of my 93 yr”
“ABC caregivers took care of my 93 yr old father from when he came out”
“We recently had to move my Dad from one senior care center to another. It”
“Oh my goodness! I was at the very bottom of my rope with no where”
“I started with Always Best Care in October of 2018 and they have been fabulous”
“I’ve been employed by Always Best Care Senior Services as a caregiver for almost four”
“This is a great place to work . The management team goes beyond there duties.They”
“A good company that cares for both employees and clients.”
“I’ve been working with ABC for over two years now and I’ve enjoyed the experience”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by”
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had to downsize due to an unexpected illness and Always Best Care (ABC) stepped in to make this possible. Kind, compassion, pleasant, friendly, joyful and talented professionals comprise those providing this service. I literally couldn’t have lived for at my assisted living since I had so many hospital visits each week. I didn’t want to go alone to these appointments and this freed my family from needless distress and worry about my wellbeing when they couldn’t be there. I highly recommend ABC since they are an essential component providing excellent and reliable support.”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in law transition into her new home after moving to Raleigh from Winston Salem. She has dialysis 3x a week and they have worked so hard to coordinate a schedule to make sure everything runs smoothly. Sherry continues to amaze me in how she is able to help figure out schedules and provide customer services in a kind and professional manner. We will continue to look to this wonderful service provider as her needs change and feel blessed to have them on site at Atri”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with. He was sincerely concerned about my mom and our family. He is an excellent listener and introduced me to Paige who is equally wonderful. Together they found a great place for my mother in a very short time. Paige was always available to speak on the phone and addressed my questions or concerns. I would recommend using this service for your loved one. Laura B of Raleigh”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed, and things changed constantly. My dad has a chance to live the rest of his life with dignity and my mom has a chance to live a fuller life because of the help we got from Kathryn and this team. They have a great network and valuable knowledge but what observed that makes them invaluable is that they care...and when you are on this situation I found that this is the quality that matters the most. Cannot thank them enough.”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“Always Best Care goes above and beyond to provide great care for you or your loved ones. Always Best Care makes it possible to stay in home, and stay as independent as possible. ABC staff are there to assist in keeping you or your loved ones safe, healthy and happy. If you are looking for top quality care, you have found the right place!”
“I'm a beginner with the company. You must be patient when applying and beautiful things will unfold for you. This company has great position offers. Come check them out for yourself! ????”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We are very satisfied with his service and professionalism. He took his time and our requirements and found the perfect place. Highly recommend him and Always Best Care!”
“I contacted Shawn when my mother returned home from the hospital. There are so many options it was confusing for me! Shawn and his team sent me several places to review and then accompanied me to visit independent living facilities. I appreciate the resources and information provided. Shawn, thank you for being focused on our family's needs and sharing your expertise. Your compassion and patience is so very appreciated!”
“Watching your parents age is an emotional experience. My mother has suffered from emphysema since the early 2000s and was diagnosed with dementia in 2018. We've worked with many companies to provide care for her and companionship. Since 2020, as my mother has significantly declined, we've had to make the decision to move her into a facility. For the past three years, Always Best, and more specifically Nancy Newcomer, has provided consistent and quality care for our family. Nancy is always on time, caring, and reliable. We've experienced companies with high turnover and feel blessed to have had Nancy's support for three years. She doesn’t do this solely for a paycheck but also checks on my dad on her days off and genuinely cares. I'd highly recommend this company to help care for your aging loved ones.”
“Other Navigation through the process of finding a Memory Care Facility for my husband. The Owner. Met with my daughter and me. We included my husband. Right away we could hear see and feel this man's compassionate heart. He cared for his own aging family members and can relate. He personally called to check in with us despite the fact that we needed a facility and not home care. Taking it one step further he went on tours with us and we discussed pros and cons without his bias of one over another. Once our loved one was placed this gentleman continued advising at our initiation of calls. He never failed to call back. Highly recommend this man.”
“Phenomenal services providing peace of mind during difficult times when your elderly loved ones need you the most. Highly recommend!”
“I could not be happier with this service. I schedule care in 15 minute or 30 minute visits for 6 visits a day. They make sure that my 96 year old mother takes her meds, walks to meals, they deliver her meals when she is too tired to walk, they water her plants, bathe her, they will help in anyway to provide the best care. Shawn Cothran, the owner, made a personal visit to her room to make sure she had all that she needs. The caregivers; Vera, Jackie, Toni, Elizabeth and many others could not be better. I highly recommend this service.”
“I Love Always Best Care, we have an amazing team and I am lucky to be surrounded by such caring hearts.”
“I am a past client of this provider Staff helped guide and navigate options for my mother. We found a new home for her and the extra attention she is now receiving has given both the family and her comfort and peace of mind. It is a challenging transition and the help was invaluable. Many thanks!”
“I am a past client of this provider ABC caregivers took care of my 93 yr old father from when he came out of the hospital until he passed away 8 months later. The nurse was very fast and efficient and met us at his residence when we arrived from the hospital. Many caregivers were so sweet and careful with him and were helpful to my mother as well. He would be happy to see their smiling faces. They were also very accommodating for schedule and other changes. I would highly recommend them!”
“ABC caregivers took care of my 93 yr old father from when he came out of the hospital until he passed away 8 months later. The nurse was very fast and efficient and met us at his residence when we arrived from the hospital. Many caregivers were so sweet and careful with him and were helpful to my mother as well. He would be happy to see their smiling faces. They were also very accommodating for schedule and other changes. I would highly recommend them!”
“We recently had to move my Dad from one senior care center to another. It was wonderful to have Paige from Always Best Care make all the appointments and show us different options. She knew all the ins & outs, positives & negatives and was such a huge help in finding him a new place to live! I highly recommend this service to anyone in need of finding a place for their loved one.”
“Oh my goodness! I was at the very bottom of my rope with no where to turn. Almost overnight, my mom went from being totally independent to needing assisted living, and I didn't know where or how to even start. The hospital was breathing down my neck to get her out of there, and I had nowhere to take her. I couldn't provide the care she needed at home. Then a friend sent me a copy of Shawn Cothran's business card. She said he could help. Shawn called me when I was at my lowest point. He offered me hope with the possibility of placement the same day or next for my mom. By that afternoon, we had signed a contract and placed a bed in mom's new home. The next day, she moved in to a very nice, beautiful and caring community. I will be forever grateful to Always Best Care Senior Services and Shawn!!”
“I started with Always Best Care in October of 2018 and they have been fabulous with their flexibility. I have been able to make my own schedule to accommodate other things in my life.”
“I’ve been employed by Always Best Care Senior Services as a caregiver for almost four years. I’ve been impressed by their professional, ethical and caring work environment, as well as the continuing training and support given to employees. As a caregiver it has been a rewarding experience to lovingly provide for the physical and emotional needs of our clients.”
“This is a great place to work . The management team goes beyond there duties.They care a lot about their clients and their workers . If you are looking for a good place to work with flexible schedule I would recommend you ABC care .”
“A good company that cares for both employees and clients.”
“I’ve been working with ABC for over two years now and I’ve enjoyed the experience with My Boss ,Co-workers and clients. We’re all just a BIg family..”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by far the best place I've worked our boss and staff are everything.????????????????????????????????????????????????????”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Kingsley Street Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Mr. P's Bistro or visit Josiah Martin, Historical Marker, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Southport, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Southport, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Southport, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Published: Sep. 25, 2024 at 7:38 PM PDT|SOUTHPORT, N.C. (WECT) - Emergency crews responded Wednesday night, Sept. 25, to a traffic accident at Waterfront Park where a truck drove off the bulkhead into the Cape Fear River, according to the Southport Fire Department.The driver of the red pickup truck, identified as 39-year-old Tara Louise Locklin, was pulled from the submerged vehicle by locals before first responders arrived at the scene. She was treated by medical authorities on scene.Police Chief Todd Coring said Lockli...
Published: Sep. 25, 2024 at 7:38 PM PDT|
SOUTHPORT, N.C. (WECT) - Emergency crews responded Wednesday night, Sept. 25, to a traffic accident at Waterfront Park where a truck drove off the bulkhead into the Cape Fear River, according to the Southport Fire Department.
The driver of the red pickup truck, identified as 39-year-old Tara Louise Locklin, was pulled from the submerged vehicle by locals before first responders arrived at the scene. She was treated by medical authorities on scene.
Police Chief Todd Coring said Locklin narrowly missed bystanders.
“One of the witnesses said they had just walked away from that area when the car came through and went into the river. So, they did jump right into action,” Coring said,
The issue of drivers plunging their cars into the river has become a big problem for Southport.
The latest incident follows three other drivers who also crashed their cars over the bulkhead.
“The last several accidents that we’ve had, unfortunately, the common denominator is impairment,” Coring explained.
A crash in May of this year led to three reflective signs to be installed near Oliver’s On the Cape Fear.
However, those did not prove successful, as Locklin crashed into the middle sign on her way into the river.
Chief Coring said some neighbors have suggested the city install guardrails, however, Coring is concerned it may cause more harm than good.
“That is a concern, because putting something in place with the speeds that some of these folks are traveling, if they were to abruptly strike a guardrail, it may cause more serious injury. It could flip the vehicle over into the river,” Coring said.
So far, none of the recent crashes over the bulkhead have been fatal.
Chief Coring said the next steps are to reinstall the reflective sign that was knocked down and fix damage to the seawall.
“Now the process is, we have sent the request into our public works director, so they will address and repair and give us recommendations back on that moving forward,” he said.
Locklin has been charged with driving while impaired. She received a $2,000 unsecured bond.
Copyright 2024 WECT. All rights reserved.
WEATHERA recent coastal storm system caused one death and many road closures in multiple counties after punching North Carolina's shore and dumping an unexpected amount of rain that led to flooding and numerous rescues.What You Need To Know Earlier this week, Gov. Roy Cooper announced North Carolina was in a state of emergency due to a “firehose” storm system that was centered in southeastern North Carolina, officials said. Cooper spoke at a press conference Wednesday in Brunswick County....
WEATHER
A recent coastal storm system caused one death and many road closures in multiple counties after punching North Carolina's shore and dumping an unexpected amount of rain that led to flooding and numerous rescues.
Earlier this week, Gov. Roy Cooper announced North Carolina was in a state of emergency due to a “firehose” storm system that was centered in southeastern North Carolina, officials said. Cooper spoke at a press conference Wednesday in Brunswick County.
Brunswick and northern New Hanover counties were most impacted by the storm system. Surrounding counties were also affected.
Cooper was “sad to report one death of a [person whose] car went around a barricade and went into the water,” in Brunswick County. High waters made the road unsafe causing the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office to block the road off with their cars, according to the State Highway Patrol.
Early Tuesday morning, on N.C. 211, a driver drove around vehicles. The floodwater's strong current pulled the car deeper into the water, said Freddy Johnson, a Highway Patrol commander. The car was submerged in 12 feet of floodwater. Soon thereafter, a water rescue team arrived and tried unsuccessfully to find the car.
Wednesday, first responders and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team returned to the crash site, and they were able to find a blue Subaru Crosstrek. Richard Walton Robinson, 80, of Southport, N.C., was found dead in the driver seat, according to Johnson.
The North Carolina State of Emergency Response Team began monitoring the storm Friday and continued to do so through the weekend, according to Director William Ray. There was predicted to be 5 to 8 inches of rain, but some areas in Brunswick County received more than 20 inches, Cooper said, and “caused significant problems.”
The storm system caused 60 road closures in about 12 counties, and most of the closures are in Brunswick County, according to the governor. There are 22 damage sites in the county too.
Several locations will need extensive improvements, said N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins. Some areas are unreachable because of high water levels.
Many homes and highways were damaged by the storm. A “bridge got washed out … floodwater was in homes,” according to the governor. People were being rescued off the side of the road, out of their flooded homes and off rooftops, said David McIntyre, the deputy director of Emergency Management in Brunswick County.
This one-in-1,000-year flood shocked many people, according to The Associated Press. The damage from the flood caused many closures. However, the Highway Patrol, Emergency Management and local officials are actively accessing the damage and making repairs to areas that they can get to, Hopkins said.
Cooper warned people not to drive in floodwaters because it is unknown lurks underneath.
Officials in Brunswick County are focusing their efforts on opening the roads back up, Hopkins said. N.C. Highway 12 in Ocracoke, N.C. reopened Wednesday afternoon. The ferry from Ocracoke to Hatteras also resumed service, said the secretary.
Cooper and other officials express the importance of investing in building “resilient” infrastructure to combat future storms. Building higher bridges, elevating homes and creating buyouts that “soak up floodwater” are on the top of their lists.
McIntyre asks the public to stay aware of what is going on, listen to messaging provided by officials and use the resources given to them.
Gov. Roy Cooper surveys storm damage along Carolina coastRoughly 48 hours after southeastern North Carolina was battered by high winds and 1.5 feet of rain, Governor Roy Cooper toured the damageSOUTHPORT, N.C. (WTVD) -- Roughly 48 hours after southeastern North Carolina was battered by high winds and 1.5 feet of rain, Governor R...
Gov. Roy Cooper surveys storm damage along Carolina coastRoughly 48 hours after southeastern North Carolina was battered by high winds and 1.5 feet of rain, Governor Roy Cooper toured the damage
SOUTHPORT, N.C. (WTVD) -- Roughly 48 hours after southeastern North Carolina was battered by high winds and 1.5 feet of rain, Governor Roy Cooper joined state officials to survey the damage around Brunswick and New Hanover counties.
On Wednesday, state officials confirmed that Monday's storm turned deadly when an 80-year old man drove into floodwaters near the town of Supply, ultimately drowning. They said upwards of 60 roads across 12 counties remain closed and there are still residents who aren't able to navigate out of their communities.
"When you've got weather people saying this was a 1 in 1,000 year event, that is extraordinary," Cooper said during a news conference at the Southport Fire Station.
The Governor surveyed the damage left behind by this week's storm, from the air and the ground. He said there was no comparison he could draw to the flooding he saw.
"This storm essentially formed right over Brunswick County here and like a firehose dumped this water on them," Cooper said. "It is something that I certainly have never seen before."
A state of emergency remains in place for Brunswick, New Hanover and Columbus counties. State officials said the cleanup process is just beginning; there are still areas that haven't dried out.
"Water's still on roadways that the DOT can't even get to yet because the water is still there. So we know you're thinking that people are going to be really inconvenienced for a while here," Cooper said.
Meantime, relief efforts are underway in places like Southport, which received roughly 18 inches of rain in a 12-hour period Sunday night into Monday.
"It's not a handout. This is a hand up," said Reverend Larry Williams, who traveled to Southport from South Carolina to donate supplies.
Williams traveled with volunteers from the Tabernacle Mobile Food Bank, bringing a semi-trailer full of relief kits with them.
"If they don't have the resources, we've got the resources," Williams said. "Let's join together and let's make this happen. It's our job. It's our duty. It's our civil duty."
Williams said they would be identifying other communities that were hit particularly hard by the storm and pitching in more in the days to come. Damage assessments from state officials are tentatively scheduled to begin late this week or early next week, but the Governor said they're still waiting for flooded and damaged areas to dry out.
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SOUTHPORT, N.C. (WECT) - It’s been a little over a week since many southern Brunswick County communities saw devastating – and, in some cases, historic – rainfall from an unnamed tropical cyclone.Hurricane Helene, though, didn’t make the same impact on the region despite its category four status.Southport Fire Chief Charles A. Drew said the city’s fire department only received a couple of calls early Friday when outer bands of the hurricane made their way through southeast North Carolina. A tree fe...
SOUTHPORT, N.C. (WECT) - It’s been a little over a week since many southern Brunswick County communities saw devastating – and, in some cases, historic – rainfall from an unnamed tropical cyclone.
Hurricane Helene, though, didn’t make the same impact on the region despite its category four status.
Southport Fire Chief Charles A. Drew said the city’s fire department only received a couple of calls early Friday when outer bands of the hurricane made their way through southeast North Carolina. A tree fell near Moore St. and Fodale Ave., and there was some minor road ponding and flooding issues.
“We’re very thankful that things were not worse than they could’ve been,” Drew said. “We did not want a lot of extra rain because that would have worsened our problems that are existing right now, and we’re on schedule to get those repaired. So, we’re very thankful it wasn’t worse than it was.”
Last week’s storm led to many road closures and traffic issues that persisted throughout the week in Brunswick County. Parts of N.C. 211 remain closed, and Drew said there’s only one way to get in and out of Southport. City officials have been working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office to keep traffic moving as quickly as possible.
Chief Drew says the previous storm reminded him of Hurricane Florence, with severe flooding and road issues. His fire department handled 56 calls in just 12 hours during the rainfall, with many of them water rescue-related.
That’s why city officials began preparing for potential Helene impacts last weekend. The fire department was overstaffed early Friday, with early shift responders working late and midday responders coming in early, Chief Drew said.
Fortunately for the city – and region – the impacts were minimal.
“We dodged a bullet, of course, this time, and things are much better than we anticipated,” he said.
Now, as the recovery continues, Drew wants people to know their city is open for business.
“Even though we’re having a traffic problem and we are in the recovery process, help our local businesses out because Southport is still open,” Drew said. “We’ve still got restaurants and businesses that need your support.”
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