AURORA: Extended power outages leave frustration

Published 12:56 pm Monday, September 17, 2018

AURORA — While the water has receded in Aurora on Monday, a lack of electricity has been a source of frustration for residents, according to Aurora Mayor Clif Williams. Williams said that much of the town has been without power for going on five days.

“It would be nice if we could get some electricity down here,” Williams said. “It’s been five days and we have no way of getting gas in Aurora, getting a hot meal or anything like that.”

Williams said that the Aurora Public Works Department has been working almost non-stop to help the town since the storm hit, clearing debris and downed trees as much as possible.

DAMAGED: A tree snapped during Hurricane Florence lies in a yard in front of a house on Main Street in Aurora. (Ashley Vansant/Daily News)

“Everybody down here is trying to make do the best they can,” Williams said. “Those that have been able to do so have already cut the trees off the power lines, so that when Duke Power does get here, they won’t have to do that.”

One concern for the town is that a number of elderly residents will need help in the coming days to remove debris out of their yards.

“In the middle of town, there are some trees down there,” Williams said. “There’s some elderly people in that area who just aren’t able to do it themselves.”

Water and packaged meals are available for pickup in Aurora at the P.C.S. mine gate. Hot meals are available this evening at the former Piggly Wiggly parking lot from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.