KINSTON, N.C. (WITN) – Debby’s impacts are still felt across Eastern Carolina.
The heavy rain last Thursday and Friday is causing officials to monitor river levels and the roads impacted.
According to the National Weather Service, the Neuse River is forecasted to crest at a moderate flood level in Kinston on Saturday, which could cause problems for some businesses.
G.I. Joe’s Military Living History Museum is a place where veterans and the community come to meet.
Stacey Heath, the G.I. Joe’s Military Living History Museum Chairman of Salute says “A lot of veterans come in here in the morning and they share stories and drink coffee and this is their home.”
Bringing community to local veterans is a passion for Heath at the museum but following tropical storm Debby, river levels and concerns of potential flooding are rising as the National Weather Service forecasts the Neuse River in Kinston will crest at at 18.9 ft. on Saturday, threatening buildings like the museum.
“With the amount of rainfall we’ve had over the past few weeks, we decided to air on the side of caution,” Heath told WITN.
Thanks to a loving community and 32 Below, many came together to lend a helping hand.
Lindsey Stapleford, 32 Below Owner says “Prepping for the flood, trying to get everything prepared and the veterans, you know, they’re older and probably needed some help so we posted on Facebook, trying to get some community involvement. A lot of people came and showed up and they helped the veterans move out.”
Heath also told WITN, “It’s overwhelming. It was very touching to see what happened. We put some of our cases with a bunch of irreplaceable stuff up on blocks. Set up an assembly line through the back.”
The effort was all to help the museum continue its mission. “One thing about veterans here is, we’re going to put unity back in the community and that’s our anticipation,” Heath says.
The museum is currently watching river levels to help them decide when to move the museum’s precious artifacts back into the building.
Heath says the museum is closed to the public right now, but veterans will still be coming in for the community.