At least
half a mile of US 70 Business just west of the
river bridge was under water when the Neuse
peaked at 29.09 feet on the morning of October
10.
Record Neuse River flooding reached
Smithfield trailing Hurricane Matthew
Hurricane Matthew
moved along the coast of North Carolina October
8-9, and while it wasn't the most destructive
windstorm we've experienced, its outer bands
produced torrential rainfall as far inland as
Raleigh, causing record-setting flooding of
rivers downstream including the Neuse.
According to National Weather Service
historical data for the river at
Smithfield, the 29.09-foot crest of October 10,
2016 was the highest on record, and came just 20
years after the previous record of 27.4 feet set
in September 1996 in the wake of Hurricane Fran.
The photographs shown here and on the front page
of this edition of the Weekly Sun come
from a collection taken by the editor on a tour
around town at the peak of the record-setting
flood. They haven't been published till now, as
the Weekly Sun wasn't launched until
2019, but have been added to the archives of the
Johnston County Heritage Center.
It's ironic that we've had no hurricanes come
our way this year of the 10th anniversary of
Matthew's historic flood. But it's not too late.
After all, the infamous Hurricane Hazel came
through here in mid-October 1954.
The flood inundated most of the Town Commons and
reached the foundation of the Legion Hut. In the
background you can see how close the river came
to covering the roadway over the Market Street
bridge.
Unrecognizable is the parking lot and boat ramp
beside North Front Street.
Stranded by the rising water were vehicles in
this used-car lot near the river.
Buffalo Road beyond Hospital Road was another
casualty of the flooding. In the background are
the abandoned quarters of Colonial Rest Home,
since demolished.
The flood surrounded residences off North
Seventh Street near Hospital Road.
This residence was thoroughly flooded at the
western end of Meadowbrook Drive beside the
stream of the same name.
The intersection where Meadowbrook Drive and
Parker Street meet Vermont Street was under
water despite its distance from the river.
The flood surrounded several residences beside
the Neuse along Rosewood Drive.
A surprise for residents living near Wilson's
Pond in South Smithfield was flooding caused by
the river that backed up above the pond's normal
level.
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