Heavy Rain Leaves North Carolina Counties Underwater

States of Emergency Declared

North Carolina faced severe flooding after Tropical Depression Chantal dumped a lot of rain in central parts of the state. The rain caused serious damage, leading to states of emergency in Moore and Orange counties.

Road Closures and Dam Failures

Many roads and highways were closed due to the flooding. A section of Interstate 40/Interstate 85 in Orange County was shut down near Exit 152 for Trollingwood Road. The Haw River reached its second-highest level ever recorded in Chatham and Alamance counties, just below the record set by Hurricane Fran in 1996.

In Moore County, two dams collapsed, and others are at risk of failing. The flooding caused major problems, including closures on U.S. Highway 1. In Southern Pines, several roads were washed away, and a retaining wall near a shopping center on Brucewood Road gave way. The Longleaf Dam broke, flooding homes and apartment complexes. Rescue teams had to use boats and even swimmers to save people trapped in their cars. Luckily, no one was hurt.

Chapel Hill Flooding Displaces Residents

Chapel Hill also saw significant flooding, displacing 63 people, including 20 from Camelot Village, which has a history of flooding issues. Two women in Chapel Hill were surprised by floodwaters up to their waists after leaving a movie, and their cars were badly damaged.

Tornado Warnings Add to the Chaos

Tornado warnings added to the chaos. Damage was reported at the Raleigh Executive Jetport in Sanford, though the extent is unclear. Another tornado warning was issued in Orange County near Mebane. The National Weather Service issued eight tornado warnings in total, but thankfully, no injuries were reported.

Dam Overflow and Water Advisory

In Lakeview, the Crains Creek Fire Department warned that the dam at Crystal Lake was overflowing and could break. Moore County Public Utilities advised residents in Pinehurst to boil their water due to low water pressure caused by damaged water mains.