Columbus County business owners work to reopen after flooding from Idalia

The main road, South Madison Street, through downtown Whiteville has reopened, along with several businesses.

However, many businesses are closed, as business owners clean up from Tropical Storm Idalia.

“A flood has a distinctive smell,” business owner Sammy Jacobs said. “It’s just a mess to clean up.”

Jacobs owns What-A-Burger in Whiteville. It is not a part of the national chain. Instead, it’s a locally-owned hamburger shop, best known for its breaded french fries.

“This is basically like an icon, a historical location,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs said he’s owned the restaurant since 2003, making every effort to keep its original charm. In doing so, they’ve been in the same spot since 1954.

“I would never move the building … If I could find a better location with a suitable price…maybe. After being hit so many hits, you quit wanting to get up,” Jacobs said, referring to the constant flooding.

It’s located in a floodplain and has weathered serious storms, like Hurricane Florence.

“This ain’t my first rodeo. I’m tired. I am tired,” he said.

Jacobs said he wants to the government to step in to help.

City of Whiteville Director of Emergency Services Hal Lowder said it’s a complicated issue.

“The floodplain was the floodplain 100 years ago; It’ll be the floodplain 100 years from now,” Lowder said. “We’ve already reached out so we can see if we can get some FEMA money and some money from emergency management.”

In the meantime, these business owners say they’re focused on opening their doors.

“Believe or not, I’m going to try to open up [Saturday],” Jacobs said. “I think I can have it done. I’ve been out here cleaning all morning.”