WILMINGTON, N.C. -- The Wilmington, North Carolina, area is in the slow process of recovery after Florence left a mark.

  • Wilmington pub stays open during Florence
  • Slainte Irish Pub used a generator to keep beer cold
  • North Carolina starting the slow recovery process

There was more damage Sunday, but there's a silver lining to the storm that is still causing problems for the state. People are coming together in ways only a disaster can.

Unfortunately it's not hard to find the bad here in Wilmington post-Florence -- boats aground, debris scattered on yards, homes damaged and roads flooded. Long lines for gas.

But then there's the good in the form of a loud, clunky generator, and it's key to a port in the storm.

Slainte Irish Pub in downtown Wilmington is still without power. But it's been open through the entire storm.

Inside, there are candles and conversation.

"I think I saved some marriages, people from getting divorced," owner Misha Sobal said.

Sobal says people with cabin fever are coming to his pub. And that generator has kept all the beer -- cold.

"Out of negative, we take positive, right?" Sobal said. 

A couple shops down, the Gourmet Market doesn't have lights yet, but they've left a light on for anyone needing supplies.

The market is a symbol of normalcy, even though the electricity isn't back.

"I'll be honest with you, I was a little nervous being in a wheelchair," Todd Cox said. "But people around here, it will be alright, it's just a storm."

Neighbors helping neighbors. Pushing back against the storm.

"Are you going to close it and be scared? Sobel asked. "Or enjoy social life with people?"

Fuel tankers are here in the area, while grocery stores are reopening.

And, electricity is slowly being restored.