03/27/2024
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bladenboro-flooding-5Hurricane Matthew has taken a toll on business owners in Bladen County as well as home owners. The sun has been out everyday since October the 8th, when the storm hit, but for some business owners are still trying to see the light from the destruction Hurricane Matthew caused.

According to Don White, Boost the Boro President, every business owner in Bladenboro had some water damage.

The worst hit businesses in Bladenboro according to White, were businesses located on Seaboard Street and Main Street.

White reported First Citizens Bank re-opened fully to the public on Thursday of this week—11 days after the hurricane hit Bladenboro.

Dr. Helms, owner of Bladenboro Eye Clinic, and his staff have been unable to return to work with no clear date in site for re-opening.

Mayor Rufus Duckworth said the town’s staff have been working hard to clean up debris from the storm and are waiting on FEMA to arrive for assistance.

White said Boost the Boro is an organization dedicated to helping Bladenboro, and it’s businesses. Currently the non-profit group is concentrating on the clean up part of the recovery efforts, according to White. Volunteers on the board are meeting this Friday and Saturday to help clean up the downtown.

The 10th annual Beast Fest in Bladenboro will be next Friday and Saturday. The Beast Fest committee reported the effects the hurricane has had on the festival, such as damages to facilities in the area, vendor applications, and registrations for the 8K, but the outlook for the festival was still highly positive based on the last organizational committee meeting on Thursday evening.

All planned events for the Beast Fest on Friday and Saturday are still on go, according to committee Chairman, Charles Ray Peterson. For more information about the Beast Fest visit: www.boosttheboro.com.

Businesses are opened for their regular hours. Boost the Boro is encouraging everyone to remember to shop local and help with the clean up efforts of possible.

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