>> reporter: this first-time politician has been in office less than a year and now has a disaster at his doorstep. >> did you ever anticipate that you would be mayor of a community that faces now a cataclysmic hurricane? >> not necessarily, although everyone who lives on the island, and most people you'll ask, they'll say that the risk of living in a beautiful place like carolina beach. >> reporter: he's no longer responsible for just his own family. he has 6,300 residents to look out for. >> you have any idea how many people have left? >> i would say about 75%. now, i know that 100% won't. >> reporter: with florence closing in, he takes a look around his community. >> the road will certainly be threatened, if not significantly underwater. >> reporter: like any commander before a fight, he assesses what he's up against. >> but we have to expect that water -- atlantic water is going to get over both the frontal and the primary dune and get to at least lake park. >> reporter: storm surge isn't the only threat.