ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — People around Lumberton will never forget Oct. 8, 2016. That’s the day that Hurricane Matthew hit.

What You Need To Know

  • Hurricane Matthew hit North Carolina on Oct. 8, 2016
  • Massive flooding happened, especially in the southeastern part of the state
  • Lumberton, in Robeson County, was devastated by terrible flooding from the Lumber River
  • Two years later, in 2018, Hurricane Florence caused massive flooding again in the same area

Floodwaters from the Lumber River poured into the city.

Homes and neighborhoods were filled with several feet of water. Damage to an elementary school was so severe that it never reopened.

The water at John Currie’s business was almost waist deep. He said it was something he will never forget, and that even now, it’s difficult to talk about.

“It…was kind of bad. You know…everything turned upside down,” Currie said.

It took three months to reopen that business. Although they recovered after a lot of hard work, Matthew left behind a lot of scars.

“We had probably 15 to 18 employees in this building before, and we’ve got six or seven now,” Currie said.

After watching the news about the destruction caused by Helene in western North Carolina, along with the potential power of Hurricane Milton as that storm gets close to Florida, Currie feels a kinship with everyone suffering now.

“I feel bad for them. I really do. And it’s different from what I experienced," he said. "I lost my business. They’ve lost their home.”