Free pizza helps Goldsboro neighbors cope with floods
GOLDSBORO (WTVD) -- Cresting of the Neuse River is causing neighborhoods to resemble ponds near downtown Goldsboro.
On Wednesday, Emma Gooding is still without power off Virginia Street. She woke up to water seeping into her home.
"I've never seen it like this," Gooding said. "Never."
Gooding's Jeep and part of her home is under water. She and her neighbors are under a voluntary evacuation. Still Gooding says she is determined to stay put.
"It's just a decision," Gooding said. "My decision is to stay here. I really don't want to go to a shelter. So my decision is for us to just stay here"
RELATED: NEUSE RIVER CRESTS, RISING TO RECORD LEVELS; GOLDSBORO MAN DIES
Yolanda Simmons is glad she left her home Saturday during Matthew. She came back Wednesday to check on her home now surrounded by water.
"It actually look like a swamp land over there," Simmons said. "I know I am going to have to start over because everything I got is in that house."
Officials say the water is slowly receding but it will take several days before the Neuse is back to normal.
Flooding rose the river 12 feet above flood stage - a record.
Nearly 200 people evacuated from their homes and are in shelters.
The lack of food in the community is forcing hundreds to stand in line for hours at Herman Park for free Papa John's pizza.
Sheleta George, a mother of two, stood in line for more than two hours.
"We're out here today because we are hungry," George stated. "When you lose your power - all of your food is gone."
Papa John's food truck will be in Goldsboro until Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. - 7 p.m. Neighbors must be in line by 5:30 p.m. to be guaranteed a pizza.
