Heavy Rains Cause Chaos in Orange County

Orange County faced serious problems due to heavy rain from Tropical Depression Chantal. The rain led to flash floods, forcing people to leave their homes and closing many roads. Chapel Hill, a town in Orange County, warned residents about the floods. By 9 p. m. , first responders started evacuating people from Camelot Village, a neighborhood near Bolin Creek. This area often floods, so it was no surprise when the water rose quickly. As the night went on, more people had to leave their homes. By midnight, dozens of residents were displaced. Camelot Village had 20 people moved to safety. The 900 Willow apartment building at University Place mall saw 18 residents needing temporary shelter. Other areas like Airport Gardens, Bolinwood Condominiums, and Booker Creek Townhouse Apartments also had people displaced. The town worked with Orange County to help those affected. They provided transportation and shelter. While it wasn't a full evacuation, residents were told to stay safe and avoid floodwaters. Eastgate Mall was hit hard by Booker Creek flooding. Businesses had water inside, and cars were submerged. The town shared updates on closed roads, including parts of East Franklin Street, Hillsborough Street, and Estes Drive. Other parts of Orange County also faced flooding. The Sheriff's Office warned people to avoid certain areas like Ashbury Apartments and Old NC Highway 86. Hillsborough Town shared similar warnings, advising people not to travel unless necessary. The flood warning was set to end at 2 a. m. on Monday, with a flood watch lasting until 6 a. m. Travelers were told to be careful on the roads and avoid standing water. Power outages were reported in several areas, including Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. Residents were reminded to report outages to their energy providers instead of calling 911.