Students at Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf (ENCSD) had already gone home, when Hurricane Floyd swept through their school in Wilson, North Carolina. By the time it hit Wilson, Floyd's winds were slightly diminished, but still packing a punch.

"It was the worst hurricane since Hurricane Hazel in 1954," said Betsy Lamm, the receptionist at ENCSD. "The water and flooding did a lot of damage."

The school became a shelter. Thirty eight people from the nearby town of Tarboro who lost their homes came to stay in the ENCSD dorms.

"Most of them were senior citizens and people with special needs," Superintendent Steve Witchey told newspaper reporters. "But there were also some families."

The students returned on September 27, before many public schools opened. ENCSD was still looking forward to the Mason Dixon tournament-and still planning to host it!

Students to Write—Stay Tuned!

How did Hurricane Floyd affect deaf and hard of hearing students? The students of ENSCD English teacher Margo Mann are writing about their experiences! We will publish them in World Around You. Look for their articles in our next issue.

Photo from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration