Several people have asked about the flood damage from hurricane Floyd in eastern North Carolina. Many museums experienced downed trees and minor flooding or leaks. Seven institutions experienced major damage. Many museum professionals have expressed concern and have asked if they could send donations. The Southeastern Museums Conference discussed starting a disaster relief fund, but staff was advised that museums receiving funds may have their compensation from their insurance companies &/or FEMA reduced because they would have been partially compensated. The best solution seems to be to send donations to the museums or their support groups and designate the gift as "unrestricted". Below is a brief report on the damage suffered by those seven institutions and where to send donations. CSS Neuse State Historic Site and Gov. Richard Caswell Memorial, Kinston: Located near the Neuse River, the visitor center had 35" of water inside, and the maintenance/collections storage building had about 40" of water. All organic artifacts were removed prior to the flooding. Metal objects will be removed shortly and will be cleaned and treated as necessary. Contact: CSS Neuse Gunboat Association, Inc., PO Box 3043, Kinston, NC 28502 Neuseway Nature Park, Kinston: Located on the banks of the Neuse River, the first floor of the visitor center was completely submerged and had 4’ of water in the second floor. The educational building was completely underwater as well. Staff had moved the collections up to the second floor of the visitor center for safety. The river has not receded enough yet for the staff to assess damage. Contact: Kinston Exchange Club, 405 North McLewean Street, Kinston, NC 28501, Attn: Neuseway Nature Park River Park North Science and Nature Center, Greenville: Located on the banks of the Tar River, the visitor center had over 36" of water inside—reports have been as high as 11’. The center is in a restricted area, so damage reports are still hearsay. The director is sure that all of her research files are ruined. Some collections may be salvageable, depending on how high the water rose inside. Contact: River Park North Science and Nature Center, P. O. Box 7207, Greenville, NC 27835-7207, Attn: Carolyn Smith, Director Rocky Mount Arts Center and Playhouse, Rocky Mount: Located on banks above the Tar River, the three-story building was flooded up to the second floor. The arts center saved much of its permanent collection; however, the theatre received extensive water damage. Some costumes and lights were saved. Contact: Friends of Rocky Mount Arts Center and Playhouse, P. O. Box 4031, Rocky Mount, NC 27803 Rocky Mount Children’s Museum, Rocky Mount: Located near the Tar River, the museum had water up to the ceiling tiles. The building and contents are a total loss. The museum was preparing for a large expansion project, so most of their collections had been removed and stored in large "airtight, watertight" containers on the grounds. The containers floated down the street, flipped, and buckled, so everything got wet. They lost 15 of their 18 animals. The survivors have been rescued, cleaned, and provided for. They are looking for a temporary building to reopen. Contact: Friends of the Rocky Mount Children’s Museum, ℅ 2100 Bridgewood Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 Tobacco Farm Life Museum, Kenly: This 5-acre site suffered from a flash flood after receiving 15-20" of rain in less than 12 hours. The farmhouse suffered no damage; however, about 10" of water was in the visitor center. Only large artifacts sitting on the floor suffered water damage. The museum lost most of its gift shop inventory, the computer, staff files, and the pine floor in the gift shop. Contact: Tobacco Farm Life Museum, P. O. Box 88, Kenly, NC 27542 Waynesboro Historic Park, Goldsboro: Located near the Neuse River, the ten historic buildings had about 7-8" of water inside. Furnishings had been put on bricks about 12" above the floor, so the furnishings are fine. The floorboards have buckled and will need to be replaced or conserved. About twenty trees were blown over. Contact: Old Waynesboro Commission, 801-B Highway 117 South, Goldsboro, NC 27530 Since hurricane Floyd, much of eastern North Carolina has received up to an additional 10" of rain. Even now it is raining heavily. Many roads that had reopened are now closed again. Martha Battle Jackson Registrar North Carolina Historic Sites 4620 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-4620 (919) 733-7862, ext. 232; Fax: (919) 733-9515 [log in to unmask] The opinions expressed may not be those of this agency.