Beaufort Recovers from Florence

Pictured (left to right): Tommy Burns (’03), County Manager, Carteret County and Rett Newton (’82), Mayor of Beaufort

Campbell University alumnus, Everette “Rett” Newton (’82), and his team are busy putting Beaufort, North Carolina, back in order. The mayor of Beaufort, a small coastal town that was deeply affected by the events of Hurricane Florence, Newton wants to get his town back to normal as quickly as possible.

On post-storm conditions in Beaufort, Newton says the town was “affected by strong winds, rain, and storm surge.” Although the last week the town was in “emergency mode,” Newton and others in the town’s administration have ensured that normal operations have resumed in the meantime.

“We have had tremendous support from local and state-wide individuals and organizations who have provided basic necessities for those impacted by the storm,” Newton said. “Our churches and civic groups have formed teams to help families repair damage to their homes. Our community has been very active and we are well on our way to recovery.”

As Beaufort finds its sense of normalcy again, Newton invites any friends of Campbell University to come and visit. “We are open for business and welcome any Fighting Camels to our hotels, restaurants, and waterways,” he said, adding that bringing visitors to the town “is vital to our recovery.”

Although Beaufort is recovering well from the storm, Newton knows that there are other towns who were not as fortunate, saying, “While the town of Beaufort was hit hard, there are others in eastern North Carolina that have been affected even more and need Campbell’s focus. Please reach out and help those that may not be able to help themselves. The Campbell community does this really well.”

For more information on Campbell University’s Hurricane Florence relief efforts visit campbell.edu/storm-relief.