Five years later, memories of Hurricane Matthew linger for those who lost their homes

By Bryan Mims, WRAL reporter

Five years ago on Friday, Hurricane Matthew unleashed its fury on North Carolina. The storm killed 25 people in the state and caused more than a billion dollars in damage in one of the costliest disasters the state has endured.

Swollen rivers inundated homes and businesses across eastern North Carolina.

In communities like Goldsboro and Grays Creek, the rebuilding may be done, but memories are still fresh.

Sounds such as the hauling out of water-logged debris, the ripping out of water-stained walls have long faded to silence.

After life gives us storms, silence is golden.

“It was my faith that brought me through it all,” said Debbie Seagroves.

We first met Debbie, who lives on Taylor Street in Goldsboro, a few days after Hurricane Matthew opened the floodgates and poured out the misery.

“The water actually rose up and came up about 18 inches high in the house. Not only did it flood our house, but we lost both our vehicles — a total loss — to Matthew, too.”

The swollen Neuse River barged through scores of homes in Goldsboro, leading to debris mounds in the streets and “CONDEMNED” signs in the windows.

You might wonder what happened after the debris cleared and the gutting stopped.

Seagroves lived on her second floor for several months. Now, her once-ruined first floor is a modern showpiece.

She opened her own business downtown, called Design By Design. She’s a fashion and interior designer and a mentor for aspiring designers.

“I had the dream for this business several years ago,” Seagroves said. “My heart was to help other people achieve their dreams.”

Matthew delayed, but never doused, the dream.

“I can say I’m an overcomer,” she said.

About 65 miles southwest of Goldsboro is Pennystone Drive in Cumberland County. Rockfish Creek swept into these homes around the cul-de-sac; several remain abandoned. For the residents who returned, homecoming was a long time coming.

Joyce Elwood and her three adult children with special needs had to wait until Christmas of 2017 before they could go home again. They were trapped as the water raged.

“Watching practically everything that was in my house just float down the hallway,” Elwood said.

A rescue worker had to pull Elwood out through the kitchen window. Five years after the storm, she feels a flood of gratitude.

“You never know when your life can be in jeopardy,” Elwood said.

Elwood’s home was refurbished, her appliances replaced, her spirit renewed.

“You have to take everything you do every day as a blessing,” Elwood said.

Counting blessings, after the storm. How sweet that sound.

In all, North Carolina has invested nearly 4 billion dollars in federal and state funding to help survivors of Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Florence, which came two years later.