These aerial photographs show the extent of the floodwater damage which Hurricane Matthew, the most powerful Atlantic storm since 2007, has caused across North Carolina.
Homes are seen underwater after Hurricane Matthew in Lumberton, North CarolinaChris Keane/ Reuters
Having received as much as 18 inches (45cms) of rain over the weekend, hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes by boat and helicopter as water levels inundated North Carolina towns. "This storm is not over in North Carolina," Governor Pat McCrory told reporters in Fayetteville. "It's going to be a long, tough journey." Eleven people have died since Matthew struck the southeastern US state, and with rivers rising, McCrory said he expected the death toll to increase.
Fuel tanks are seen after flood waters rose due to Hurricane Matthew in Lumberton, North CarolinaChris Keane/ Reuters
Aerial view of a neighborhood that was flooded after Hurricane Matthew in Lumberton, North CarolinaChris Keane/ ReutersA national guard vehicle is seen driving through a flooded street after Hurricane Matthew in Lumberton, North CarolinaChris Keane/ ReutersAerial view shows a neighborhood that was flooded after Hurricane Matthew in Lumberton, North CarolinaChris Keane/ Reuters
A man walks through flood waters after Hurricane Matthew in Lumberton, North CarolinaChris Keane/ Reuters
A tractor trailer is seen in flood waters after Hurricane Matthew in Lumberton, North CarolinaChris Keane/ Reuters
In Lumberton, close to the Lumber river, some 2,000 residents were confined to their homes and rooftops after the city flooded with several feet of water on Monday (10 October). Major flooding is expected this week in central and eastern towns along the Lumber, Cape Fear, Neuse and Tar rivers. The National Weather Service said the Neuse River would crest on Friday night and forecast "disastrous flooding."
Aerial view of the flood after Hurricane Matthew in Lumberton, North CarolinaChris Keane/ Reuters
Aerial view shows flood waters after Hurricane Matthew in Lumberton, North CarolinaChris Keane/ Reuters
A home is seen under water after Hurricane Matthew in Lumberton, North CarolinaChris Keane/ ReutersA driver education vehicle is seen submerged in floodwaters following Hurricane Matthew in Lumberton, North CarolinaA building is inundated with floodwaters in Lumberton, North Carolina, following the passage of Hurricane MatthewSean Rayford/ Getty ImagesEvacuees sit in a rescue truck in a flood area caused by Hurricane Matthew in Lumberton, North CarolinaChris Keane/ ReutersA National Guard Sgt. carries a two-year-old girl through flood waters as they rescue residents of a mobile home park inundated by rising river waters in Lumberton, North CarolinaJonathan Drake/ Reuters
In neighbouring South Carolina, Governor Nikki Haley warned locals that waterways were quickly reaching capacity around the state. Haley spoke of the uncertainty of the weather in a news conference, explaining that "What might not be flooded today could be flooded tomorrow." Haley went on to report at least three storm-related deaths, including one in which a person in a vehicle was swept away by floodwaters. Hurricane Matthew has killed around 1,000 people in Haiti. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said many Haitian towns and villages had been "wiped off the map." In the US, the number of fatalities has risen to at least 23, with nearly half in North Carolina.
A South Carolina Department of Natural Resources officer surveys the flooded downtown area while patrolling for evacuees in Nichols, South CarolinaRandall Hill/ ReutersA South Carolina Department of Natural Resources officer rescues a cat from flood waters while patrolling for evacuees in Nichols, South CarolinaRandall Hill/ ReutersA house is pictured surrounded by flood waters from the Lumber River due to Hurricane Matthew in Nichols, South CarolinaRandall Hill/ ReutersMailboxes are pictured nearly covered by waters of the Lumber River in Nichols, South CarolinaRandall Hill/ ReutersRescue personnel evacuate a resident by boat in the downtown area of Nichols, South CarolinaRandall Hill/ ReutersResidents use containers for their possessions as they evacuate out of Nichols, South CarolinaRandall Hill/ ReutersA business and truck are pictured flooded by waters of the Lumber River in Nichols, South CarolinaRandall Hill/ ReutersA building surrounded by flood waters from the Lumber River in Nichols, South CarolinaRandall Hill/ ReutersA fire truck is pictured surrounded by flood waters from the Lumber River in Nichols, South CarolinaRandall Hill/ Reuters
