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Flooding, Damage, Deaths in Hurricane Matthew Aftermath

Hurricane Matthew has passed, but its deadly impact is still being felt throughout the southeastern part of the United States. The Category 4 storm, which pounded houses and towns with 90 and 100 MPH winds, has killed at least 32 people in the U.S. after claiming more than 1,000 lives in Haiti.

In North Carolina, at least 14 people have died. The death toll also includes people from Florida, South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia.

The flooding continues to worsen in several parts of North Carolina. Governor Pat McCrory said on Monday that 1,500 people have been stranded in the city of Lumberton after a levee breach forced people to their rooftops. According to the North Carolina Emergency Management, more than 447,000 homes and businesses in the state remained without power as of Monday.

Ann Marie Swilley, co-owner of promotional products distributor Carolina Specialties International in Fayetteville, says the basement of her facility flooded after a nearby creek overflowed. “We’re staying near the front entrance because we’re really not supposed to be in the building,” Swilley told Counselor. “We’re hoping to find out the total damage within a few days, but we’re having a heck of a year and don’t want to slow down for anything.”

Aside from a few delays in production, several other industry companies in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida reported no damage from the hurricane. After closing due to safety concerns on Thursday and Friday, the companies resumed normal business operations on Monday.

The Weather Channel reported that more than 469,000 people in South Carolina, 169,000 in Florida, 150,000 in Georgia and 106,000 in Virginia remained without power as of Monday. Property data firm CoreLogic estimated that insured losses on home and commercial properties would amount to anywhere from $4 billion to $6 billion. On Monday, the UN secretary general made an emergency appeal for nearly $120 million in aid to help Haiti recover from the destruction.