LUMBERTON — Hurricane Matthew caused thousands of cars to be totaled due to water damage. Now many of them are awaiting a final resting place at the site of the former Converse plant on N.C. 72.
About 5,000 water damaged and totaled cars have been relocated to the 10 acre site west of Lumberton and are being sold off to salvage yards, body shops, dealers and the general public.
Copart Inc. is administering the sale of the thousands of vehicles at the physical location via online auction. The N.C. 72 plant had been the location of one of Robeson County’s largest employers.
Row after row of neatly arranged cars stripe the massive lot. Some show visible signs of being washed away or drowned by flood waters, but others would not look out of place at a flashy dealership off of a major highway. Like many dealerships after the storm, the Copart lot is a tough place for a car lover. Luxury cars still glint in the sun, classic American sports cars sit a few spaces from their modern counterparts, and Jeeps looking ready for a rugged trail.
“We are basically the broker for the insurance company,” said Alan Lock, manager at the Robeson County site. “We hold the cars on our property, we sell them through our internet and (the insurance companies) recoup whatever they have lost.”
Totaled cars from around 15 insurance companies have been towed to the Caton Road site. According to those working at the ad hoc dealership, the cars are usually sold to licensed dealers or businesses looking to resell their parts. Members of the public can also purchase vehicles, typically those looking for parts for a restoration or repair.
The cars come from Robeson and surrounding counties, according to Copart representatives. The company has similar sites as well as permanent locations in several countries. According to their website, Copart has between 75,000 and 100,000 cars on the auction block.
Hurricane Matthew inundated Robeson County with rain on Oct. 8, causing flooding that lasted several days in some areas. The resulting flood displaced thousands of Robeson County residents and damaged more than 7,000 structures.
If you are interested in purchasing a vehicle, visit Copart.com to register for the online auction site. Buyers must register with the company before vehicles can be sold and no business can be done before registration is complete.
