Hurricane Mathew is headed toward Bladen, complete with strong winds and lots of rain, between now and Sunday. The National Weather Service is expecting rainfall totals for our area, based on the Friday, 5 AM update, in the range of 6 to 10 inches with winds expected to increase to 24 to 34 MPH, and gusts up to 50 MPH. The rainfall is now underway and winds will continue to increase throughout the period. Saturday and Saturday night will be the most dangerous times. Rainfall and winds decrease dramatically by midday Sunday.
Tie down what you cannot be moved to higher ground or inside, and hope and pray Mathew heads out to sea soon. Prepare for power outages.
The sooner it moves on, the better for crops remaining in the fields.
Remember last year, acres of peanuts and cotton were never harvested after days of rainfall and farmers were unable to get into the field to harvest the crop.
Further west, NASCAR officials are monitoring the track of Hurricane Mathew, hoping to get the Sunday auto race in. Kevin Harvick is on the pole with Alex Bowman posting a qualifying lap of 196.000 MPH, driving number 88, subbing for the injured Dale Earnhardt, Jr., picking up second spot.
Last night, East Bladen High School football team defeated Pender 41-3 with Ethan Hines scoring 4 touchdowns to lead the Eagles, while Heide Trask eaked out a 13-7 win over the Knights of West Bladen. Both games ‘moved up’ to accommodate the arrival of Hurricane Mathew.
Older residents of the area remember the most dangerous storm ever in this part of the state, Hurricane Hazel came calling in 1954. As a youngster, I admit I was greatly concerned about the safety of our family. Damage along the beach communities of Brunswick (NC) and Horry County (SC) was devastating.
Bladen County schools are closed today.
Six reasons hurricane season is like Christmas;
1) Last minute shopping in crowded stores,
2) Dragging out boxes that haven’t been used since last season (flashlights, etc)
3) Family and friends from out-of-state calling,
4) Regular TV shows are pre-empted for “specials”,
5) Days off from work,
6) At some point you are likely to have a tree in your house!
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