Life returning to normal for some flood victims
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- It's been nearly three weeks since Hurricane Matthew brought historic flooding to Fayetteville, but life is starting to return to normal for some.
One small business owner told ABC11 Thursday he's ready to get back to work thanks to the government. Bobby Swilley's business sits next to an enormous hole created by the flood waters and he said he thought it would take months to clean up and re-open, but local official cut that time in half.
Water rose several feet inside the screen printing and embroidery building, ruining expensive machines as well as T-shirts, hats, and other materials.
But Swilley is back in business thanks in a big way, he says, to state and local officials who promised to help him get back on his feet.
"The biggest thing, getting our electricity turned back on. PWC was great, and city inspectors came down and stayed with us and went through the whole process with us. The Mayor was a big help, the construction company, DOT, everybody," he said.
Swilley is not the only one celebrating. Thursday, residents in the Rayconda subdivision in west Fayetteville celebrated the re-opening of the main road into their neighborhood that was washed out by flood waters. Until Thursday, fire trucks and other emergency officials couldn't get into the neighborhood.
"It's just that knowing that this is open, I can finally lay my head down and rest in peace and the very same thing for the rest of us in the community," said Freddy Rivera with the Rayconda Home Owners Association.
But other residents still have a long way to go. City leaders hope to use close to a million dollars in community funds to help storm victim across the city.
"We are looking to help fill some of that gap, and make the recovery go a little smoother," explained City Council Member Kirk deViere.
City officials tell us that even with government help, numerous residents and business owners are struggling to dig out of the muck and mud left in Hurricane Matthew's wake.
