'God help us': N.C. flood victims separated from family after hurricane

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  -  As floodwaters began to rise in Lumberton, N.C., on Friday, Elizabeth Morales and her son escaped by the "grace of God," she said.

"We didn't see evacuations," she said. "We didn't hear any of that. Everybody kept telling us it was going to be 30 mile an hour wind. We might get a gust, we might see a little bit of potential flooding, but nothing heavy."

Morales said she’s now living in hell. She and her son are currently living in a hotel in Fayetteville, N.C., which is about 45 minutes from Lumberton.

"[It] took me three, almost 4 hours to get here, and then we rode around begging for a room,” she said.

Morales said the only thing she has left is the clothes on her back.

"I'm stuck up here right now. Can't get my son with asthma to a doctor. Can't get my own medicine. I have no home. I've lost everything I've got,” Morales paused as tears streamed down her face. “We have animals that are missing and gone. Families have been separated. I haven't seen my daughter!"

Morales's said she lost her mother and daughter during the flood, but recently found out her daughter is in a shelter and is safe.

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory said 19 people have been killed in storm-related incidents in North Carolina and many areas in eastern North Carolina are still experiencing life-threatening flooding. McCrory tweeted Wednesday that 3,800 people are currently in shelters across the state.

Morales said she plans to stay in the hotel until the money runs out. She said she’s lucky enough to be with some neighbors from her flooded hometown, like Mrytle Bethea.

“I have a brother that's missing,” Bethea said.  “I have more family members that are missing. Hopefully, they are in shelters. Hopefully, they are going to trying to get up numbers that we can call and maybe check on them."

Bethea said her brother, Ralph, is older and decided to stay in Lumberton, despite the rising floodwaters.

"He was stubborn, and he wouldn't leave out,” Bethea admitted. “He said he thought he could wait it out. They said the National Guard came in and made everyone evacuate. I'm just praying and hoping they got to him in time."

Bethea managed to get out and helped others leave as well.

"I took a neighbor with me," Bethea said. "They didn't have anywhere to go. I told her I was not going to leave her behind. If I could have taken everyone I could have I would have taken them all, but I just couldn't save, but who I could have saved.”

Bethea said her brother is not in any of the local shelters, but she remains hopeful that he stayed in the house and the water didn't reach him.

The National Guard continues to perform rescue missions in Lumberton five days after flooding began. Morales hopes more help will come long after the water leaves her hometown.

"We still here,” Morales hopefully said. “Long as I'm here, that another day to fight."