FAIR BLUFF, N.C. — It’s been a few days since the storm named Debby dumped lots of rain on the town of Fair Bluff.

What You Need To Know

  • Fair Bluff is in Columbus County and located on the Lumber River

  • The town is more than 150 years old and has had at least three severe floods during that time

  • The flooding caused by Debby isn’t nearly as severe as that left behind by Hurricanes Matthew and Florence

And while some of the flooding from the Lumber River has fallen, some of the streets in the Columbus County town remain underwater. 

The town has had at least three severe floods in its more than 150 years. While Debby hit the town pretty hard, the flooding isn't as bad as left behind by Hurricanes Matthew and Florence.

Mary Alice McNeil Thompson is the vice president for the Greater Fair Bluff Historical Society. She operates the Depot Museum downtown. While working to mail out the group’s newsletter, she described the impact of Debby on her hometown.

“It’s very squishy. We’ve had over 12 1/2 inches of rain,” she said. “That’s too much water for our flat country. It’s got nowhere to go because the river is full.”

Since late last week, Fair Bluff has been swamped with floodwaters from the Lumber River. The boat ramp on the river is completely submerged, along with a nearby park. Drivers on Main Street have to navigate past blocked portions and portions that are still underwater.

“You can’t get around. You just have to stay home,” Thompson said. “And hope to be dry. I live in the country, so therefore you can’t wash clothes because the ground is saturated.”

The Lumber River at Lumberton crested Monday. But it will remain above flood stage for several more days. It will take a few days for that high water to go downstream to Fair Bluff. Until then, flooding will continue.