WILMINGTON — As torrential rains fell and tornado alerts buzzed on cellphones, most of Wilmington and New Hanover County residents took shelter, either in homes or at the emergency shelters — but not everyone.
Huddled under the riverfront gazebo on Water Street, Randy Evans — along with about a dozen of Wilmington’s homeless population (and one dog) — ate lunch.
For Evans, it’s just another day doing what he does.
That’s because Evans is the founder of Walking Tall Wilmington, an outreach organization aimed at helping those in need. Despite the storm barreling down on the city, Evans and the people he was helping didn’t seem to notice.
Some of the people will make their ways to the emergency shelters as things get worse — some will ride the storm out on their own, Evans said.
When asked why he was still out in the middle of a massive hurricane where tornados had actually been spotted and touched down, his message was simple — hunger doesn’t go away just because of a storm.
He’s is no stranger to braving the weather; he was out during Florence, Irma, and almost every major storm that has impacted the region over the past few years, he said.
As for Friday, Evans said he normally provides breakfast for those in need and provided he can make it out, he plans on being there.
Send comments and tips to Michael.p@localvoicemedia.com
