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City of New Bern to address the deteriorating condition of the Duffyfield Canal

When Hurricane Florence hit New Bern more than five years ago, families had to be rescued from the Trent Court complex. The effort to rebuild one of the city’s largest public housing projects with money from FEMA has yet to get off the ground.
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When Hurricane Florence hit New Bern more than five years ago, families had to be rescued from the Trent Court complex. The effort to rebuild one of the city’s largest public housing projects with money from FEMA has yet to get off the ground.

The City of New Bern is seeking urgent public input to address the deteriorating condition of the Duffyfield Canal.

Built decades ago with concrete, hardened walls before modern stormwater standards existed, the 4,700 foot canal currently suffers from severe erosion, habitat degradation, and poor water quality.

Because it passes directly through low-lying residential neighborhoods, the canal's inadequate drainage system has caused repeated, devastating floods during major hurricanes and routine heavy rains.

Related content: Several ENC communities receive grant money to make them more resilient to flooding and storms

To help guide the restoration plan, city officials are hosting an open house public meeting on Tuesday, May 26th, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Stanley White Recreation Center.

Residents can share localized flooding concerns and vote on conceptual plans to clean and stabilize the vital waterway.

Annette is an award-winning journalist based in Eastern North Carolina. Her career includes professional stops across the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and Southeast, recently culminating in a 2026 Region 8 Edward R. Murrow Award for Small Market Radio Best News Series for her work on the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Series. Guided by a passion for human-interest storytelling, she focuses on narratives that touch hearts and connect communities. A mother of four and grandmother of two, Annette enjoys reading and creating epic Halloween costumes in her spare time. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.