View from the Sidelines .. Thursday August 29 2019 Topsail Area still recovering from Hurricane Florence a year later

When Hurricane Florence hit our area a year ago, the damaging affects were devastating on the communities and families in our area. A year later, there are families still displaced from their homes. On the Topsail beaches a large percentage of the properties were not available for the summer season. Most businesses operating on the beaches were open for business this summer, after rebuilding or extensive repairs the economic impact was harsh for the local businesses.

The school system and our area schools were shut down for a month because of damage from the Hurricane Florence. The county government of Pender and Onslow, as well as the District School systems did a great job of making sure the students in their districts completed the school year calendar for 2018-19.

Hurricane Florence had its affect on the high school and youth sports teams in the area as well. Damages to the athletic facilities and the fact that in the school systems, if schools are closed athletics teams are not allowed to practice. With adjusted scheduling and the great work of the county athletic directors and youth league directors, most teams were able to complete their season. From a youth sports perspective the most intriguing thing I witnessed was how our high school athletics teams came together and put many hours of community service hours in helping the community rebuild. I was involved with a high school team working in the Hampstead area and realized the need of what we were doing. As we approached many homes to identify ourselves, many of the home owners were in tears when we told them we were there to help them.

A year later as I think back, The most amazing thing for me was how our community came together in a time of crisis. In sports you always talk about a “Team Effort”. For everyone from Sneads Ferry to Hampstead. Great Job!! and Well Done!!