Wind-driven rain during Hurricane Florence resulted in water damage throughout the Pender County courthouse. The basement was flooded with several feet of water that entered the building through the walls, chimney, and basement hatch. The sump pump in the basement was overwhelmed by the volume of water and failed. The total repair project cost more than $6.7 million and was funded by insurance proceeds, a direct appropriation from the N.C. General Assembly, and FEMA Public Assistance. Golden LEAF Disaster Recovery Grant Program funds were used to enable the elevation of the boiler and electric controls out of the basement and to make other improvements to prevent water intrusion through the basement.
