Monday, September 20, 1999 The University Daily Kansan Section A·Page 5 KU graduate looks hurricane in the eye Former editor experiences fury of Mother Nature By Todd Halstead writer kanson.com Kanson staff writer Spencer Duncan, former Topean and KU graduate, has weathered floods in Texas and South Dakota, but nothing could have prepared him for the devastation of Hurricane Floyd as it crashed into the Eastern seaboard. Duncan, a former editor and sports columnist for the University Daily Kansan, arrived in Rocky Mount, N.C., a town of 58,000, on Sept. 5 after driving through torrential rainstorms caused by a foundering Hurricane Dennis. After arriving in Rocky Mount, about 40 miles from Raleigh, to begin work as a sports writer for the Rocky Mount Telegram, Duncan's new 1999 Ford Taurus fell victim to residual flooding caused by Hurricane Dennis. He then rented a car last Wednesday, which was submerged by rising flood waters from Hurricane Flovd. "I paid the extra few dollars for the insurance, but I didn't expect it to get immersed in water," Duncan said. "But it's really not my problem now." Duncan chose to wait out the hurricane in his second-floor apartment because there had been no warnings to evacuate the area, and he had no place else to go. "I woke up and looked out my window and saw that it was raining." Duncan said. "I looked out my window a little while later and saw that the water was above cars' tires, and soon it was over the top of the cars." Duncan said that winds reached up to 70 mph and that flooding reached about 20 inches in a 24-hour time period. "Basically there was a new river flowing down my apartment complex," Duncan said. After helping an elderly woman who lived below him gather some valuables, he brought her to the safety of his apartment Duncan said that the rain stopped before waters reached his apartment and that rescue came on Thursday via a raft that took Duncan and the woman to a fire station where he was left to his own devices. "I just walked to work and slept there that night with some co-workers, only because the town is on lock down so we had no choice." Duncan said. Duncan's father. Tuck Duncan. Topeka Dutcan's father, Yu resident, said that he had stayed in touch with Spencer through phone conversations, e-mail and faxes. "We had several phone calls with him in light of the fact that the phone service might go out at any second." Tuck Duncan said. "He learned from his days as editor of the Kansan to stay calm during a time of chaos." Duncan: Lost two cars to floodwaters At least three people died in the county. Duncan said. Most places in Rocky Mount have their power back, but he still can't figure out why his cable is missing a few channels. Duncan said that President Clinton was planning to come this week and view the damage. "Today was the most beautiful day, but of course when you drive down the street you see new lakes everywhere," Duncan said on Friday afternoon. Duncan said he broke the lease with his apartment because of the damage it has suffered and is looking for a new place. He said that stores were beginning to reopen and that some of the floodwaters had subsided but that there was more rain in the forecast. Edited by Kelly Clasen Floyd leaves widespread destruction along coast The Associated Press TARBORO, N.C.—Rescuers in fleets of helicopters and boats rushed to help people still stranded Saturday by floods from Hurricane Floyd's drenching rainfall. Officials warned that major rivers across eastern North Carolina were still rising. Hundreds of thousands still had no electricity from North Carolina to Connecticut. Brown water from the Tar River crept into three blocks of Main Street, where business owners waded or used small boats to check on property that had been dry just 12 hours earlier. "Nobody knows how bad it is. Nobody expected this," said attorney Tommy Moore, who wore chest waders as he checked on a friend's law office. His own office was dry in Rocky Mount. A helicopter roared overhead, looking for stranded residents near the riverbank. copters, and it just makes you sick," Moore said. "You know they're helping people, but it makes you realize how vulnerable we are. It's like a war zone." At least 45 people died, including 20 in North Carolina, as Floyd churned up the East Coast and thousands of homes and businesses were damaged. "You hear these heli- In Pinetops, N.C., authorities on Saturday recovered the bodies of four people whose boat capsized while they were trying to escape floodwaters. The bodies were that of a middle-aged woman, her daughter, and two girls who were between 3 and 5 years old, said fire chief Steve Burress. In hard-hit North Carolina, high water on Saturday still blocked parts of Interstates 95 and 40, the state's two busiest highways, along with more than 300 other roads. More than 5,600 people spent the night in 69 shelters across eastern North Carolina. The highway closures have created a logistical nightmare when it comes to supplying food and water to people in shelters and isolated communities. Five shelters are being supplied exclusively by air three in Edgecombe County and two in Pitt County. Supermarkets are running out of food and to ensure people are fed, 30 mobile kitchens have been set up in 16 counties. Fort Bragg provided 50,000 ready-to-eat meals. State agricultural officials estimated that a million poultry and 100,000 swine had perished. Together with anticipated crop losses, this potentially is the worst agricultural damage that eastern North Carolina has ever faced, state agriculture department spokesman Jim Knight said. He said agricultural losses could exceed the $872 million benchmark set by Hurricane Fran in 1996. As Floyd's 15 inches of rain slowly drained away from eastern North Carolina, forecasters warned that more major flooding still lies ahead for the Tar, Neuse and Cape Fear rivers. While the Tar River crested Saturday in Tarboro at 43 feet — 24 feet above flood stage — the Neuse and Cape Fear rivers weren't expected to crest until Tuesday, also well above flood stage. "It's going to be bad," said Al Lazo of the National Weather Service in Raleigh. Nearly 50 helicopters, with more expected from other states, were in the air for rescue missions Saturday in Edgecombe, Nash, Pitt and Duplin counties. In Edgecombe County alone, 3,500 people had been rescued. Alumnus captures volcano, residents in photo exhibit By Emily Hughey By Emily Hughey writer@konson.com Konson staff writer In September 1997, Smith went to Montserrat to photograph the erupting volcano and the citizens still inhabiting the unsafe zone. On Montserrat, where there's smoke, there's a volcano. And two years ago, KU graduate and Lawrence photographer, Gary Mark Smith, was there. Beginning today, an exhibit chronicling the products of Smith's visit to the Caribbean island of Montserrat, "Molten Memoirs: Ignoring the Rational Voice," will be on display at the four floor gallery in the Kansas Union. Smith also pub'ished a book, titled Molten Memoirs (paperback, $27.59), of his photos of both humans and nature. Sue Buckley, Student Union Activities adviser, said the exhibit was not focused on the vol- cano's eruption, but instead, it depicted the sentiment of the hold-outs who watched the lava overtake their land. Lisa Eitner, head buyer and supervisor of the Mt. Oread Book Shop in the Union, said she decided to bring Smith and his work to the University of Kansas when Smith visited the book shop to tell her about his book. She said it was a good opportunity for the store to support a local artist. "It's kind of a human piece with nature erupting all around," she said. "He is a photographer, a writer and an adventurer," Eitner said. "He's also very articulate. It just seemed like a perfect fit." Smith will speak about the exhibit, which will continue through Sept. 30, and his experiences from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 30 at Alderson Auditorium in the Union. Also, he will sit in on the exhibit at the gallery to answer questions and talk about his work. Edited by Allan Davis Residents of Montserrat in the Leeward Islands, watch fearlessly as a volcano spews smoke and ash upon the island. The volcano erupted in September 1997. Contributed photo. Jaybowl - Level 1, Kansas Union - 864-3545 TOPACCO EXPRESS 2104A W. 25th St. 925 Iowa (walk in Humidor) 624 N. 2nd Marlboro $22.99 a carton + tax *Select styles only All Shows Only $2 + Purchase Tickets at the SUA Box Office Level 4, KS Union Hollywood Theaters SOUTHWIND 12 3433 IOWA 4333 OMRO SOUTHWIND 12 3433 IOWA 832-0880 BARGAIN MATINEES INDICATED BY () STADIUM SEATING * ALL DIGITAL 1 Silir of Echo's 1:15 4.35; 7.00; 9.55 1 The 130th Warrior' 1:15 4.35; 7.00; 9.55 3 Mekey Blue Eye' 1:25 4.30; 7.15; 9.55 4 Blue Streak' 2:00 4.45; 7.15; 10.00 5 The Sirst Sense* 1:20 4.40; 7.15; 10.00 6 For Love Of the Game *Game* 1:20 4.70; 7.20; 10.00 7 Stigmata* 1:00 4.20; 7.15; 9.50 8 Stigmata* 1:00 4.20; 7.15; 9.50 9 Blue Streak* 1:10 4.05; 7.60; 9.50 10 Thorn Crown Affair' 1:10 4.10; 7.25; 9.55 11 Bowlinger' 1:35 4.55; 7.55; 9.50 11 Runaway Bride* 1:35 4.15; 7.00; 9.30 PLAZA 6 Seat & Salon 1 The Blair Witch Project¹ 2:20 4:50, 7:20 Daily 2 An Ineal Husband²⁰¹ 2:15 4:45, 7:15, 9:45 3 Outside Providence³ 2:05 4:35, 7:55, 9:40 4 Love Stinks⁴ 2:10 4:40, 7:10, 9:35 5 Mystery Men⁵⁰⁷ 2:00 4:30, 7:00, 9:25 6 Chill Factor⁶ 2:05 4:35, 7:55, 9:30 ★ NO VIP + PASSES + SUPERSAVERS SHOWTIMES FOR TODAY ONLY DANCE Children's Classes In Bullet, Tap, Acrobatics, Modern, And Jazz LIBERTY Adult Classes In Latin, Swing, And Ballroom (YSK) SUN-875 THE CTE VISA - **of FREE calling time just for applying.** Apply on the web and get up to 20 of FREE calling time. - Apply on the internet and get an additional of FREE calling time when you make your first purchase. (if you apply by phone.) - Get a $% rebate towards calling on all purchases. - No credit history required. - No annual fee. *Calling time will automatically be credited to your GTE Calling Card account. When you carry a balance from month to month, Call our toll-free number or visit our web site for complete disclosure of terms and conditions.* www.gtecard.com or 1-888-591-7900 Medical Care A Naturopathic Practice for optimum health