Live drone video shows houses standing in floodwater in Linden, North Carolina after Florence dumped 36 inches of rain in parts of the state.
Prosperous, vibrant Wilmington was opening three sites for food and water distribution Tuesday as officials in the North Carolina city struggled to feed a population cut off by the historic floods of once-mighty Hurricane Florence.
The Cape Fear River, normally a tourist attraction and economic powerhouse, has brought the city of 120,000 to its knees. Residents who didn't flee before Florence hit last week are now reliant on essentials rolling in on high-water trucks and helicopters.
The river, expected to crest in Wilmington on Tuesday, set a record Monday when it reached 22.54 feet in the town of Burgaw, 25 miles to the north.
"The river will continue to rise in the coming days," the National Weather Service said. "Stay safe, river flooding is still a major concern!"
The storm has been blamed for at least 32 deaths since it rolled up on the coast of North Carolina last week. More than 300,000 utility customers across the state remained without power Tuesday.
