OH NO

Tropical Storm Florence: Over 100 Animals, Two People Trapped in N. Carolina Shelter

The animals are reportedly standing in inches of water.

Over 100 animals and two people are reportedly trapped in a North Carolina animal shelter due to flooding from tropical storm Florence. USA Today reports that help is being mobilized to get 43 dogs, approximately 80 cats, and about 15 chickens and roosters out of the top floor of the Carteret County Humane Society safely. Manager Cassandra Tupaj wrote on Facebook that part of the shelter's roof fell and the animals were standing in inches of water. She also wrote that the rest of the roof over the dog kennels was “saturated and not looking like it will hold up the whole storm.” Along with the building's generator running low, Tupaj claimed that the surrounding road was flooded and blocked by fallen trees.  Amelia Smith-Casey, a local animal-care volunteer who helps to transport animals, told the newspaper that several teams have been contacted but the “closest is about 2 hours away.” On Friday, Florence was downgraded from a Category 1 Hurricane to a tropical storm. Five people have died in North Carolina since the storm made landfall.