Neuse River expected to crest today
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on June 21, 2006 1:51 PM
The Neuse River was expected to crest early today at about 20 feet, and experts said the water level should begin to fall by Thursday.
The river level was at 19.7 feet at about 10 p.m. Tuesday, officials with the National Weather Service said today.
Goldsboro public utilities director Karen Brashear said the river level was at 19.9 feet this morning at about 9. She said she expects the river level to begin dropping later tonight or early tomorrow.
Ferry Bridge and Mill Creek roads remained closed today because of high water, but local and state officials said they expect the water to start receding, and that the two roads could be reopened as early as tonight.
Arrington Bridge Road remained open, but high water covered fields on either side of the roadway. The road, and several roads near Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, normally flood when the river level reaches 20 feet.
County emergency officials have said they do not expect the high water to threaten any structures, but residents living downstream were still keeping a close eye on the rushing brown water.
The high water is the result of the aftermath of Tropical Storm Alberto, whose remnants dumped as much as eight inches of rain on the Raleigh area last week.
Both the Neuse and Tar rivers have received much of that water, with residents living along both waterways alerted to the possibility of flooding.
The level of water in the Neuse at Goldsboro was expected to drop to 18 feet by midday Thursday and to 14 feet by Saturday.