Residents in areas predicted to flood should remain alert and ready to evacuate

Residents in areas where floods are predicted to occur in the coming days should stay alert and monitor rising waters closely.  If an evacuation order is issued for your area, it is important to act quickly and follow the instructions of state and local emergency officials.

Flooding is expected to continue along major rivers throughout the week. The Lumber, Cape Fear, Neuse and Tar Rivers are all forecast to reach major flood levels through Friday.

• The Neuse River in Goldsboro is forecast to crest at a record 29.4 feet Tuesday evening. Flood prediction models indicate 131 buildings to be affected by flooding.

• Contentnea Creek at Hookerton crested this afternoon – models project one affected building.

• The Cape Fear River near Chinquapin crested this afternoon at 20.2 feet – 64 buildings to be affected.

• The Tar River at Tarboro is expected to crest on Wednesday afternoon at 35.3 feet, affecting 158 buildings.

• The Cape Fear River at Lock #1 near Kelly will experience moderate flooding through Thursday cresting at 26.3 feet.

• The Tar River at Greenville is forecast to reach 24.9 feet on Wednesday evening, causing widespread flooding affecting a projected 573 buildings.

• Northeast Cape Fear River near Burgaw forecasted for moderate flooding all week cresting at 16.2 feet early Thursday afternoon.

• Neuse River at Kinston will crest at 27.1 feet on Friday, just inches shy of the previous record flood level.  Models predict 156 buildings affected by flooding.

The Lumber River at Lumberton has crested at 24.7 feet, 3.9 feet higher than the previous record level, and is now receding.   Despite earlier reports, the river did not overtop or breach the levee. Flooding in the Lumberton area is directly related to rainfall accumulation.

Woodlake Dam on Lake Surf southeast of Vass has not breached and has been stabilized by dam safety technicians.  However, an evacuation order issued by the Town of Spring Lake on Monday night remains in effect.

Rising waters will continue to affect many roads and bridges. State officials strongly advise that motorists do not attempt to drive through standing water or bypass temporary barricades.

The governor reminds residents that flooding will be a prolonged event as rivers continue to crest throughout the week.  Current river gauge levels and flood forecasts can be monitored online at http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=rah

For more information about hurricane and flood recovery, go to ReadyNC.org. You can also follow N.C. Emergency Management (@NC Emergency) on Twitter and Facebook for the latest on efforts related to the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.