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Understanding and Mitigating Flooding in Lumberton, NC

Lumberton, North Carolina

Featured image for the project, Understanding and Mitigating Flooding in Lumberton, NC

Lumberton, NC, has experienced significant flooding from hurricanes and heavy rains, causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure in recent years. This project aims to understand the factors contributing to frequent flooding (including rainfall, proximity to the Lumber River and the river’s behavior, and local drainage infrastructure) and develop strategies to mitigate the flooding’s impact on the local community. By collaborating with scientists and engaging the community, we seek to enhance the resilience of Lumberton, empower residents with knowledge, and implement practical solutions (some ripple initiatives) to prevent future flood damage.

Description

About the Community

Lumberton is a city in Robeson County, North Carolina, with a predominantly African-American population and a significant number of lower-income households. The community has been severely affected by flooding from Hurricanes Matthew (2016) and Florence (2018), resulting in destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure, and long-term displacement of residents. Many homes remain unrepaired, and streets are prone to flooding during heavy rains. The area lacks active flood management plans, and residents often do not have the resources or knowledge to address these challenges. The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, led by Pastor Judy Johnson, will serve as a central hub for community meetings, disaster response, and support.

About the Project

The project’s primary goal is to understand why Lumberton experiences frequent and severe flooding and to develop actionable strategies to mitigate these risks. We aim to:

  1. Analyze Flood Patterns and Drainage Systems: Collaborate with a hydrologist, flooding expert, or climate scientist to study the Lumber River’s behavior, local drainage infrastructure, and the impact of heavy rainfall events on flooding.
  2. Develop Mitigation Strategies: Based on scientific analysis, formulate practical solutions such as improving drainage systems, advocating for infrastructure upgrades, and exploring natural flood defenses.
  3. Community Engagement and Education: Organize seminars, workshops, and distribute educational materials to inform residents about flood risks, management strategies, and preparedness measures.
  4. Implement and Monitor Solutions: Pilot the recommended mitigation strategies in the most affected areas and monitor their effectiveness over time.

Timeline and Milestones

  • Project scoping + scientist recruitment and onboarding (Months 1-6): Identify key project goals, scientist recruitment and establish clear roles and timelines for effective collaboration.
  • Initial Research and Analysis (Months 7-10): Collect and analyze data (in-situ or remote sensing data) on local drainage systems, historical flood events, and estimate current infrastructure risk and vulnerabilities. Seek funding opportunities to support project activities.
  • Develop Mitigation Strategies (Months 11-14): Work with the scientist to formulate practical solutions, which may include infrastructure improvements, policy recommendations, and community initiatives.
  • Community Engagement and Education (Months 15-16): Conduct community meetings at the AME Church and other local venues. Provide seminars led by experts to educate residents on flood risks and preparedness.
  • Implementation and Monitoring (Months 14-18): Pilot selected mitigation strategies in targeted areas. Monitor the outcomes and adjust plans as necessary.

Total project duration: 18 months.

Project Team

Community Leader

Reverend Judy V. Johnson, a 35 year retired educator, has a passion for community outreach and service. As the tenth child of fourteen children she grew up with a clear understanding of family, community and hard work.  At the age of eighteen she entered Fayetteville State University and earned a BS Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Middle School Education. She also completed a course of study for Certification as an Education Administration and Supervision.  She continued her education earning a Masters of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry from Moriah Institute of Christian Studies. Her passion and commitment to education has been recognized several times over and she has received several Teachers of the Year Awards.  Reverend Johnson has served for seven years as the Adjunct Chaplin for Columbus Regional Hospital in Whiteville, NC.  Reverend Johnson serves in her church community as an active member of the Lumberton Ministerial Alliance.  She has served as former Director of Christian Education for the North Carolina Annual Conference in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and Director of Christian Education for the Southern District of The North Carolina Annual Conference.  She currently serves in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) as the: Secretary for The North Carolina Annual Conference, Assistant Secretary and Instructor for The North Carolina Conference Board of Examiners and the Chief Registrar for the Second Episcopal District Youth Congress.   She received her certification in 2016 for Chaplin of the AME Church. She is active in her community in many ways.  She served as a member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of The Farmers Union Community Developmental Daycare Center. She supported a volunteer service by reading to the children and assisting with meals to those children enrolled in the Kids Café.  Kids Café is a program providing hot meals to children in the afternoon to ensure their health and a positive atmosphere for learning.  Johnson currently serves on the Board for Spiritual Educational Outreach Ministries which provides meals, clothing and resources to homeless individuals, young mothers and military veterans.  She also served on the AME Church PAN-Methodist Campaign Committee for Children who are at risk and in Poverty.  As an ordained minister of the gospel, with twenty-six years in ministry, Rev. Johnson has served for nineteen years as a pastor.  She served from 1996 – 2002 at Mt Horeb AME Church, Evergreen NC and has served at McCormick Chapel AME Church since 2002.  Her faith and leadership enabled her to build new sanctuaries at Mt. Horeb AME and McCormick Chapel AME. She received the 2015 Bishop Living Legacy award for the North Carolina Conference, Southern District. 

Community Science Fellow

Kshitij Dahal is a Community Science Fellow in the AGU’s May 2024 cohort and a Ph.D. student at Arizona State University specializing in hydrology and water resources. Growing up in Nepal, he witnessed the devastating impacts of landslides and floods firsthand, which inspired his dedication to mitigating natural hazards through science. His current research focuses on developing streamflow forecasting systems for Arizona streams using machine learning methods and integrating both satellite and in-situ data. Kshitij is passionate about applying scientific knowledge to solve community problems and has published research papers, presented at conferences, and received awards for his innovative work. In his free time, he enjoys playing badminton, traveling to new places, and reading books for personal growth.

Scientist Wanted

Scientist Role

We are seeking a volunteer hydrologist, flooding expert, or climate scientist with expertise in flood management to collaborate on this community-driven project.  The scientist will:

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

  • Analyze rainfall and flood patterns, river behaviors, and drainage systems in Lumberton. 
  • Identify the underlying causes of frequent flooding in the area (including but not limited to those listed above).
  • Work closely with community leaders and residents to develop a report on practical and sustainable flood mitigation strategies.
  • Participate in virtual or in-person community education sessions to explain findings and recommendations in accessible language.

Note: Scientist can work remotely, and we welcome applications from individuals based anywhere.

Thriving Earth Exchange asks all scientific partners to work with the community to help define a project with concrete local impact to which they can contribute as pro-bono volunteers and collaborators. This work can also position the scientists and communities to seek additional funding, together, for the next stage.

Interested in volunteering as a scientist? Apply now!

Collaborating Organization(s)

The Nurture Nature Center is a non-profit located in Easton, PA, that supports building community resiliency to environmental risk by leveraging the power of informal science education, art-centered approaches to learning, and community dialogue and networking. Started in response to flooding in Easton, NNC has over a decade of work related to flood outreach, education, and social science research. NNC is currently an AGU TEX Community Science Hub.