Flooding Frenzy: A Coastal Catastrophe

The coastal counties of North Carolina are reeling from the devastating effects of Potential Tropical Cyclone 8, which brought unprecedented flooding and destruction to the region. On Tuesday, Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency for Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, and New Hanover counties, acknowledging the severity of the situation. The storm dumped over 20 inches of rain on Carolina Beach, causing life-threatening flooding that is being referred to as an extremely rare 1,000-year flood. The flooding was so severe that it rendered many roads impassable, leaving thousands stranded and without power. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NC DOT) worked tirelessly to clear the roads, but many roads remained closed due to the severe flooding. The NC DOT reported five crashes on Interstate 40, and several businesses along the coast were forced to close due to the floodwaters. The storm also caused widespread power outages, with thousands of households left in the dark. Duke Energy, the state's primary electric utility, worked to restore power, but the soggy ground made it challenging to prevent outages caused by falling trees. Despite the challenges, residents and business owners came together to assist with the cleanup efforts. "It was definitely rough, you couldn't see," said Breck Price, manager of The Starlite Inn in Carolina Beach. "We're just trying to get back to normal as soon as possible. "