Irene Shuts Down Eastern NC Schools

Public schools across eastern North Carolina are implementing backup plans for classes due to extensive damage from Hurricane Irene. In Tyrrell County, all but one public school building were breached by three feet of water and sewage. Students there are on a limited schedule in makeshift classrooms until further notice. State school support director Ben Matthews says coastal districts are still trying to come up with estimates for how much it will cost to repair their schools.

Ben Matthews: "Six counties, we still haven't heard from, and knowing some of those - Dare, Pamlico, Hyde and Currituck - are going to be significantly impacted, and knowing right know that there are 40-plus schools that have been hit... millions. Multi-millions. There's no question."
East Carolina University reopened today after sustaining what school officials say was a million dollars in storm damage. Schools on Hatteras Island remain closed due to at least four breaches on Highway 12.