This episode is the third installment in our new Main Street NC series from the WUNC Politics Podcast. When Hurricane Matthew hit North Carolina in 2016, every business on Main Street in the small Columbus County town of Fair Bluff was underwater. A few had reopened by 2018 when Hurricane Florence brought a repeat of the same flood damage.
Mayor Billy Hammond and other town leaders ultimately came up with a dramatic plan to address the issue: Build a whole new downtown-style commercial district a few blocks up the street on higher ground. To hear more about Fair Bluff's plans for a flood-proof future, and how it hopes to make its close proximity to the Lumber River an asset, WUNC spoke with Hammond and Town Manager Al Leonard.
The Tuscarora Nation's long struggle for recognition in NC
State auditor candidates face off in rare statewide runoff election
Previewing the 2024 legislative session with Sen. Gale Adcock
Social studies teacher from 'the Neglected Northeast' wins NC House seat
Meet the ECU student who defeated a 10-term NC lawmaker
Making sense of NC's primary results
Big changes for 2024 voters under new election laws
NC 2024 primary: Races to watch on the Republican Party ballot
NC 2024 primary: Races to watch on the Democratic Party ballot
Main Street NC: Murphy's struggle to quiet a cryptocurrency mine
Main Street NC: Star's quest to replace 100-year-old infrastructure
Main Street NC: Lumbees help turn Robeson County toward GOP
Main Street NC: 'Tremendous change' in the state's fastest-growing town
Main Street NC: The state's fastest-shrinking towns seek a turnaround
With new GOP-advantage redistricting maps, where do NC Democrats go from here?
A slew of environmental changes become law as NC lawmakers override vetoes
A long-awaited budget bill passes and casinos strike out
Happy hours and Sunday ABC store runs: NC reconsiders alcohol laws
Key senator talks budget delays, vetoes and eastern NC
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The State of Things on WUNC
American Songster Radio
Stories With A Heartbeat