The remnants of Tropical Depression Chantal have triggered widespread flooding across central North Carolina, washing out roads, swelling rivers, and prompting emergency water rescues late Sunday. The situation comes just days after a separate flooding tragedy in Texas claimed 27 lives at a summer camp, casting a shadow over yet another severe weather event in the region.
According to WRAL, “hundreds of roads have been flooded in central North Carolina after rounds of heavy rain from the remnants of Tropical Depression Chantal washed out roads, sent rivers into major flood stage, and prompted water rescues.” Some areas reported receiving up to 9 inches of rain within 24 hours.
Emergency crews were deployed throughout Chapel Hill, where firefighters were seen rescuing drivers trapped in submerged vehicles. A state of emergency was declared in Orange County, where officials reported that “water rescues and evacuations were underway late Sunday,” according to a statement by the Orange Grove Fire Department.
In Chatham County, Sheriff Mike Roberson shared that “State Highway 902 collapsed near Chatham Road,” and over 100 roads in the county were impassable due to flooding.
The Eno River near Durham surged more than 24 feet in less than 12 hours, cresting above 25 feet early Monday morning and reaching major flood stage, officials said.
Concerns have also been raised about infrastructure failures. The city of Mebane, which spans Orange and Alamance counties, issued a voluntary evacuation order late Sunday over fears of a potential breach at the Lake Michael Dam. The city’s water treatment plant has lost power, and residents were asked to reduce water usage.
Approximately 28,000 customers remained without power Monday morning across Alamance, Orange, and Durham counties. Flash flood warnings extended into Halifax County in central Virginia, and flood watches have been issued for portions of New Jersey as the remnants of Chantal continue to move up the East Coast.
The National Weather Service also warned of 5- to 7-foot waves and dangerous rip currents along the Atlantic coast from Florida through Maryland, along with possible wind gusts up to 40 mph in parts of Long Island and coastal Massachusetts.
This latest storm comes just days after catastrophic flash floods in Texas claimed the lives of 27 children and counselors at Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River. While no fatalities have been reported in North Carolina as of Monday morning, the proximity of the two events has heightened national concern over increasingly frequent and destructive flood events across the South and East Coast.
Officials are urging residents in affected areas to remain off the roads and comply with all evacuation orders as more rain is expected Monday.
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