Many in Goldsboro wiped out by flooding

GOLDSBORO (WTVD) -- Krystal Brison is among the dozens of people who stood in line at J.B. Rhodes Funeral Home in Goldsboro Friday morning to get free bottled water.

Like many others, she has not been able to return to home for days.

"I came up here because I didn't have a charger and my electricity was out, and by the time I got back up here the water got worse so I had to stay here throughout the storm," she said.

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Funeral Director J.B. Rhodes III bought more than 500 cases of bottled water to hand out to struggling flood victims.

"Some families have lost everything, and a lot of families don't have insurance, so I'm sure FEMA will facilitate these families but I've seen a lot of people in need right now," he said.

The Neuse River exceeded record flood stage by 10 inches following Hurricane Matthew.

More than 30 caskets at Elmwood Cemetery were unearthed in the floodwater.

"We have them in refrigerator trucks to hold them until we can sort out who they are and get them properly buried back," said Goldsboro Mayor Chuck Allen.

In southwest Goldsboro residents returned to their homes for the first time to get a look at the damage.

City crews condemned several houses deemed unsafe. Residents, many without flood insurance, are now forced to stay with relatives or in shelters.

Duane Greenfield counts himself as one of the lucky ones. He returned home after evacuating to find his home was not seriously flooded.

Greenfield spent Friday power washing his possessions that were soaked in more than 16 inches of water over the weekend.

"It's devastating for everybody," he said.

"That's my biggest concern today is next week these people are going to come back, and they don't have a home to go to, and what are we going to do as leaders to find them somewhere to stay because nobody wants to be in a shelter, and we don't want anybody to be in a shelter longer than they have to," said Allen.