Carolina Beach Struggles with Severe Flooding from Potential Tropical Cyclone 8
Carolina Beach, NC – As Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 moves away from the Carolina coast, residents are facing the daunting task of cleaning up after an unprecedented weather event. Many neighborhoods remain challenging to navigate due to intense flooding that struck the area this past weekend.
Emergency Declaration
On Tuesday night, Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency for the counties of Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, and New Hanover. This declaration aims to support local recovery efforts following what officials describe as a once-in-a-lifetime flooding event.
“This state of emergency declaration will help counties hit by severe rainfall and flooding to recover from this storm,” Cooper stated. He urged all North Carolinians to remain cautious as many roads continue to pose dangers due to standing water.”
Impact of the Storm
The weather was particularly severe on Monday, which was designated as a WRAL Weather Alert Day. Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, tornado warnings, and the likelihood of power outages. Coastal communities in Southeastern North Carolina faced the worst impacts, with Carolina Beach recording over 20 inches of rain since Sunday night.
The torrential downpour has resulted in what is being referred to as an extremely rare 1,000-year flood. Flood watches and flash flood warnings were in effect from Monday morning until Tuesday morning, when they finally expired as waters began to recede. However, residents are still urged to remain vigilant.
Road Conditions and Risks
Many roads remain flooded and dangerous. Carolina Beach saw a staggering total of 20.81 inches of rain, while other areas in Brunswick County, such as Southport and St. James, recorded 19.13 and 18.65 inches, respectively.
Residents report significant challenges in accessing their neighborhoods. Angela Holbrooks, a resident of Brunswick County, shared her frustration: “You couldn’t pass through this road, the water was rushing over it like rapids.” A truck even plunged into a gap caused by the flooding near her home.
The flooding forced many locals to find alternate routes as major highways were shut down, stranding residents for hours without access to grocery stores or emergency services. One resident emphasized the need for improved infrastructure, stating: “We need higher roads, evacuation plans, and better infrastructure to take care of citizens here.”
Utility Outages and Damage
The winds also played a role in causing damage as gusts reached speeds of up to 30 mph. Many residents encountered power outages, with Duke Energy reporting thousands without service. In Raleigh, a tree fell onto power lines, cutting off electricity for numerous residents.
As roads were assessed for safety, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NC DOT) announced closures and warned of dangerous conditions on several routes. Additionally, five crashes were reported on Interstate 40 on Tuesday morning, illustrating the hazardous driving conditions.
Community Response
As the floodwaters began to recede, community members worked alongside business owners to begin the cleanup process. Breck Price, an employee at The Starlite Inn, spoke about the challenges locals faced, stating, “It was definitely rough, you couldn’t see.” Many businesses remained closed on Tuesday due to the lingering floodwaters.
Continued Caution
While the immediate threat of flooding may be easing, the risk remains. Residents are reminded not to attempt driving through flooded roads as the conditions are still unsafe. Forecasts indicate more rain may be on the way, leading to calls for continued vigilance in the area.
Recovery from this storm is expected to take time, and the community is left picking up the pieces, hoping that lessons will be learned to better prepare for future weather events.
