WILMINGTON, N.C. (WFMY)-- It's been a week since Hurricane Florence left our state, but students at UNC Wilmington still aren't back in class.
The storm took down power poles and trees and the race is on to clear debris and repair the damage.
Madison Southern, a senior at UNCW, is staying at her parents house in Lexington while she waits for the school to reopen.
"It's really sad and it's really scary because we don't exactly know what our campus looks like. We haven't been able to get on campus. I know some students have been able to get their cars, but I just want, like I love this school and I want it to be okay," said Southern.
When students were told to evacuate days before Hurricane Florence, Southern knew this storm could be very dangerous.
"I was like talking to my parents and they were like okay this like actually might be serious, so I tried to bring as much stuff home as I could. My room literally looks like I don't' even live there," said Southern.
Florence certainly left behind a mess on campus, but Southern said the destruction won't tear apart Seahawk nation.
"I definitely think its going to bring everyone kind of closer together. I know a couple of my professors have reached out and say, hey we're not gonna worry about it. It's gonna be okay. These things happen," said Southern.
Now she's just eager to get back to her normal college life. "I cannot wait. I'm ready to see my friends and just see my roommates and really just get back into the flow of things," said Southern.
UNCW officials said classes will resume next Monday, October 1st. They anticipate faculty and staff will be able to return by this Wednesday and residence halls could open this Saturday. These dates could still change, depending on how repairs go.