While Hurricane Matthew has passed out to sea, states in the southeastern United States must still deal with the aftermath of heavy flooding, power outages and loss of life.
At least 33 people have died in the U.S. as a result of the superstorm, while North Carolina endures serious flood conditions. In fact, North Carolina has so far suffered the greatest death toll, counting 14 fatalities, followed by 12 in Florida and three in South Carolina and Georgia each.
As of Tuesday morning, almost 200,000 homes and businesses in North Carolina remain without power, according to the North Carolina Emergency Management. A state of emergency remains in effect on 31 counties in North Carolina. Raleigh and areas to the east have suffered extended power outages and face a continuing threat of flooding.
Credit unions in the region are also coping with the residual effects of the deadly storm,which had a significant impact on branching and other infrastructure at one of the nation's largest credit unions.
Leigh Brady, executive vice president-organizational development at State Employees Credit Union, the $33.8-billion institution based in Raleigh, N.C., told Credit Union Journal that SECU had closed 20 branches as of Tuesday.
“Most of the branches are without power; however, there are four branches closed due to rising waters,” Brady said. “Over 175 ATMs are down as well.”
However, because SECU uses a Unified Communications Phone System, they have been able to redirect all telephone calls from those affected branches and still serve their area members via phone.
“Many other branches have logged in to the phone system in order to help answer those calls,” Brady added.
SECU is one of the largest credit unions in the nation, serving more than 2 million members.
Still, some credit unions in the area appear to have emerged from Matthew unscathed.
At $2.7 billion-asset Coastal Federal Credit Union in Raleigh, N.C., Joseph Mecca, manager-marketing strategy & communications, reported to CU Journal that the storm's impact on its operations was minimal. "We ended teller service at 4:30 pm on Saturday instead of 7 pm, and then started again Sunday at 8:00 a.m. instead of 7:00 a.m.," he said.
Further south, Kim Gay, director of communications at the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates (LSCU), which represents 261 credit unions across Alabama and Florida, told CU Journal that they had "a few credit unions with minor [storm-related] damage, but thankfully nothing major."
Gay also stated that there were some credit unions without power on Saturday which impacted ATM service. "[But] most are up and running now," she added.
Gay also said that the league was unaware of any branch closings as of Tuesday afternoon.
Some credit unions in Georgia closed their doors for a few days in advance of the storm, but the Georgia Credit Union League has not yet informed CU Journal of any significant damage to branches.
Reopening for Business
The Carolinas Credit Union League (CCUL) stated on its website that "most" credit union facilities which were in the path of Hurricane Matthew were expected re-open for regular business on Tuesday, October 11.
CCUL and its associated Carolinas Credit Union Foundation continue to receive reports of closings and said they are "prepared to support any credit union facilities, staff, and volunteers affected by the storm." The Foundation is also prepared to distribute resources to disaster-stricken members of the credit union movement.
According to CCUL's latest available update, Carolina Trust FCU branches re-opened Tuesday, October 11; Georgetown Kraft CU's Fraser Street, Kingstree, and Pawleys Island branches will be on a regular schedule on Tuesday; and Bourne Street and Andrews branches will offer drive-thru service only due to power outages.
Heritage Trust FCU of Summerville opened its Oakbrook, Dorchester Road, Rivers Avenue, Goose Creek, Moncks Corner and Park West branches at 10 am Monday, October 10. All SAFE FCU branches resumed normal hours on Tuesday. Santee Cooper CU re-opened for regular hours on Tuesday, October 11.
SC Federal's Contact Center and Rivers, Summerville, Southampton, Glenn McConnell, and Northeast Columbia financial centers resumed regular operation at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday.
