LUMBERTON -- 2017 was the year that folks in Lumberton spent trying to recover from 2016. That was the year of Hurricane Matthew.

As for what lies ahead in the new year of 2018, the people of one neighborhood want to believe it will better. They hope they can start to put Matthew behind them.

Neighborhoods off 5th Street were especially hit hard by flooding caused by the hurricane. Almost 15 months later, you'll still find many houses and homes that are vacant.

It's certain the hard times are not over yet.

Helping with the continuing recovery is the nearby congregation at West Lumberton Baptist Church. The members there have their own survival stories to tell about Matthew, but they are making a special effort to reach out to their suffering neighbors along 5th Street.