Town of Princeville
Princeville, North Carolina

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 4, 1999

RESIDENTS BEGIN RETURN TO PRINCEVILLE

PRINCEVILLE, NC – Princeville residents are now returning to the town in small numbers. With the exception of some homes in the Southern Terrance neighborhood, most homes have been destroyed, and citizens who have the means are bringing to their property temporary housing in the form of mobile homes and RV’s. Although water, sewer, and electric services have been restored, residents may only tie into these systems after having received permission from officials who certify that the hook-ups are safe. The overnight curfew has been lifted, but the State of Emergency declared by officials immediately after Hurricane Floyd remains in effect.

While officials aren’t telling people that they should or shouldn’t move back into town at this point, "we are stressing that if they do return, they need to be prepared that things are very far away from being back to normal," said Princeville Town Manager, Sandra White. White said on Wednesday that around 50 of Princeville’s 2,000 residents had signed up to receive hazard mitigation material for possible relief from FEMA if Princeville is found to be eligible for such programs, including buyouts.

Officials cautioned that many "unofficial" information sources seem to be springing up, and citizens are advised to look to the Town for official news on recovery efforts. "There continue to be inaccurate statements made about Princeville from all sorts of places," said White, referring to a few news stories, as well as several websites that she’s heard of carrying incorrect material on Princeville. "We strongly encourage our citizens to use the official information sources we’ve set up to ensure they have the facts."

Princeville’s temporary Town Hall established in the Edgecombe County Office Park in Tarboro is fully operational, and citizens are encouraged to call or stop by weekdays during regular business hours. Officials have also set up information kiosks containing flyers on important subjects at both Town Hall locations. In addition, Princeville’s Phone Home Hotline—(252) 977-8788--contains the latest information on recovery efforts. Finally, the only official web presence for the Town is currently being hosted and maintained by sister-city Cary, NC at www.townofcary.org. In the coming months, this effort will be assumed by Princeville and hosted by Interpath.

The next meeting of the Princeville Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Monday, November 8^th at 7:00 PM in the Edgecombe Community College. While the meeting is not intended to be a public forum, citizens are encouraged to come hear discussions about the recovery effort.

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