Major Interstates Reopened in North Carolina

While more than 600 smaller roads in North Carolina remained closed on Oct. 17 because of high water from the floods caused by Hurricane Matthew, Interstate 95 reopened in both directions that morning. That good news followed the reopening of I-40 on Oct. 14.

“Thanks to Department of Transportation and contractor crews working around the clock over the weekend, I-95 was reopened in both directions in Cumberland and Robeson counties this morning,” North Carolina’s Department of Transportation said in a press release issued Oct. 17. “That covers the interstate between exits 13 [U.S. 74] near Lumberton and 56 [U.S. 301] near Fayetteville. The opening means there are no detours needed for I-95 between Virginia and South Carolina.”

The floods took 25 lives and disrupted freight movement in North Carolina, the state that was clearly most affected by Matthew.

"While our recovery efforts are going strong, we still have many people who need assistance," North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory said after continuing his tour of flood-ravaged counties Oct. 17. "The good news is that most of the rivers have now crested and are currently receding, but we still have a long way to go."