Four years after Florence, Williams joins American Flood Coalition on tour of areas battered by storm

Four years after Hurricane Florence battered southeastern North Carolina, Brunswick County Commissioner Frank Williams joined other local officials on a tour of ongoing resilience projects throughout Southeastern North Carolina. The tour, organized by the non-partisan American Flood Coalition, visited Boiling Spring Lakes to view the site where Florence destroyed the dams that created the lakes.

The tour highlighted the achievements of the state agencies and legislature in recent and ongoing investments in resilience, including the dam project in Boiling Spring Lakes, a stream debris removal project in Burgaw, and bridge improvements in Brunswick County. Other participants included members of the Eastern North Carolina Recovery & Resilience Alliance, key leaders from state agencies, and dozens of local leaders.

Williams provided tour attendees with an overview of his N.C. Association of County Commissioners Presidential Initiative, 100 Counties Prepared, which was inspired by his experience serving as Chairman of the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners during Florence.

“Hurricane Florence was the defining moment of my tenure as a Commissioner and my time serving as Chairman of the Board,” said Williams. “I’m pleased that local officials throughout our region are taking the initiative to learn the lessons presented by Florence and increase our resilience and preparedness for future storms.”

“Four years ago, Hurricane Florence showed the devastating impacts of flooding on communities across Southeastern North Carolina,” said AFC Carolinas Director Tony McEwen. “Since then, the state has made resilience a priority, as seen in sweeping infrastructure projects and improvements, all of which will help communities better prepare for and recover from extreme weather.”