Coal Ash and Sewage Spill Over as Florence Floods the Carolinas
- At Duke Energy plant, a reservoir gives way amid deluge
- Deadly storm threatens tobacco crops and hog-farm operations
A street sits submerged in flood water n Wilmington, North Carolina.
Photographer: Alex Wroblewski/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
A Duke Energy Corp. landfill near Wilmington, North Carolina, failed under the assault of Tropical Depression Florence, spilling about 2,000 cubic yards of coal ash that can carry toxic mercury, arsenic and lead. Authorities said they would investigate whether the pollutant had reached the Cape Fear River, but said it wasn’t yet safe to inspect the site.
As the weakening storm plodded agonizingly across the Carolinas on Sunday, officials warned of even more catastrophic flooding. The deluge has already killed at least 13 people, washed partially treated sewage into waterways and left entire communities under water.