Officials monitor Black River in Pender County for potential flooding

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Lots of communities inland that are located along rivers and other waterways, are on high alert for the heavy rainfall expected.  

In Pender County, officials are watching the Black River, which had risen by several feet on Wednesday afternoon. 

Residents on the river noted flooding has been an issue in the past.  

WWAY spoke with the Atkinson Volunteer Fire Department on Wednesday to see if they anticipate flooding along the riverbank.  

Fire Chief Jason Turner said during Hurricane Florence, several residents in the area had to be evacuated from their homes. 

“Based on some of the figures, the river is going to rise. Possibly not as much as Florence, but close,” he said. “We have been monitoring and we have been preparing for the last two days.”   

If you live along the Black River and need to evacuate, shelters are now open at Cape Fear Elementary in Rocky Point, and Topsail Elementary in Hampstead.