North Carolina Flooded & Rescued After Heavy Tropical Storm Chantal Rains

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Heavy Rain and Flooding Hit North Carolina Following Storm Remnants

Central North Carolina experienced widespread flooding after the remnants of Tropical Depression Chantal brought heavy rainfall, flooding hundreds of roads, and prompting emergency water rescues. Some areas saw as much as 9 inches of rain within a 24-hour period.

Chantal made landfall as a tropical storm near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, early Sunday morning, before moving inland through North Carolina. The storm caused significant water rises in the region, with the Eno River near Durham exceeding 25 feet—its major flood stage—after rising 24 feet in less than 12 hours.

Local authorities declared a state of emergency in Orange County, where evacuations and water rescues were ongoing. The sheriff of Chatham County reported that State Highway 902 collapsed near Chatham Road, and over 100 roads in the county were flooded. Emergency services, including firefighters, were seen performing rescues, with no injuries reported.

In Mebane, residents were advised to evacuate voluntarily due to concerns about potential dam failure at Lake Michael. The city’s water treatment plant lost power, leading residents to reduce water consumption.

More than 28,000 customers across Alamance, Orange, and Durham counties faced power outages on Monday morning. Flood warnings persisted in parts of Virginia and along the Atlantic coast, where dangerous rip currents and waves of 5 to 7 feet remain a threat.

Flooded road with a car and firetruck
Flooded streets prompted rescue operations in North Carolina.
Flooded road in North Carolina
The city of Mebane issued a voluntary evacuation order amid rising floodwaters.
Satellite image of Tropical Storm Chantal over North Carolina
Satellite imagery shows the storm’s movement over the region.

As Chantal’s remnants continue northward, heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to affect Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. Flood watches are in effect in some parts of New Jersey, and wind gusts reaching 40 mph could impact areas including Long Island and the Massachusetts coast.

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