Heavy Rain Causes More Headaches For Residents Stranded After Storms In Lincoln County; One Organization Plans To Help
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A faith-based volunteer group believes they can help 26 families stranded in their homes in Iron Station. Mennonite Disaster Service, an organization of volunteers based out of Pennsylvania, was contacted about the crisis in Iron Station. Engineers toured the area to assess the damage.
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For more than two weeks, 26 families have been stranded in Iron Station, unable to drive in and out of their neighborhood on Amity Lane after a culvert washed away when severe storms rolled through the area, leaving behind a massive hole.
Since then, crews have built a pedestrian bridge and a side road next to the bridge so people can drive their vehicles and ATV’s through it to get to work and school.
But on Thursday, another round of heavy rain washed away part of the side rode, once again leaving people unable to travel in and out of their neighborhood. Over the weekend, a fire broke out and residents say firefighters had trouble getting to the fire. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
It’s an issue these residents have faced for the past 10 years.
“It’s really bad. I mean I really feel for these people,” says Phil Troyer, Mennonite Disaster Service. The group’s mission is to repair and rebuild homes of people impacted by disasters. They’re ready to get the ball rolling to repair the bridge in Iron Station at no charge to the families.
But they’re asking local churches and the community for donations.
Next week, engineers will check on floodplain levels and county permits before work can begin. The group says the bridge work will cost around $60,000. It will take about 6 weeks to build it. A GoFundMe has been started to support families in the area.
Original Story: Posted Jan. 13, 2024:
IRON STATION, N.C. – State and county leaders toured Iron Station Friday to get a first-hand look at the crisis 26 families are dealing with. State Senator Ted Alexander and Commissioner Bud Cesena were contacted by WCCB News Thursday about the issue.
Friday, they traveled to the community and talked to people living there. Dozens have been left stranded after 5 inches of rain fell in Lincoln County, washing away a culvert and leaving behind a massive hole. The residents live on a private road and have been told they are responsible for the expenses to fix it.
“No one’s gonna come in and just fix a bridge. To get this a state-maintained road you’ve gotta start at the very top of the road and then finish at the bottom of the road,” says Commissioner Bud Cesena. He told residents that project would cost millions of dollars to complete.
“I’ve already asked the staff in Raleigh to start looking to see what we can do. When you’re declared a state of emergency maybe that would trigger certain things,” says Senator Ted Alexander.
Friday, crews spent the day attempting to clear off a side road next to the bridge so people can drive their vehicles through. The community has created a GoFundme account to help the families. If you’d like to donate, click the link below.
IRON STATION, N.C. — Residents off Amity Lane in Iron Station are stranded in their homes after a culvert was washed out during Tuesday’s severe storms, according to Lincoln County Emergency Management. A GoFundMe has been started to support families in the area.
The culvert washed out on Amity Lane off Furnace Road.
Right now, first responders say about 26 homes are on the other side of the washed out culvert.
Rescue crews are putting a temporary foot bridge in place and an ATV access bridge. Medical and fire crews will remain on the scene until further notice. No one was injured.
WCCB News reached out to State Senator Ted Alexander from Lincoln County. He said no one contacted his office about the issue. His team is now investigating the situation and exploring solutions to get help for residents.
Former Amity Lane resident Shanna Marsh organized the GoFundMe to help families in the area, she is strongly compelled to assist as her father has been a resident since the late 80s. Any donations made will be used to afford supplies such as, culverts, drain pipes, fill dirt, and gravel for restoring the area.
Click here to learn how to help.
