News Summary
Tropical Depression Chantal has caused severe flooding in central North Carolina, leading to over 50 water rescues and displacing more than 60 residents. The Haw River reached its highest crest since 1996, prompting Flash Flood Warnings across multiple states. The storm made landfall as the first storm of the 2023 hurricane season, bringing record rainfall and triggering additional storm risks. A state of emergency has been declared in Moore County, and one fatality has been confirmed due to the flooding.
CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina – Tropical Depression Chantal unleashed significant rainfall on central North Carolina, resulting in severe flooding and prompting numerous water rescues. The storm delivered up to two months’ worth of rain to the region, with some areas receiving over 14 inches in just one day.
Major flooding impacted local communities, leading the Chapel Hill fire department to carry out more than 50 water rescues as floodwaters encroached upon homes and apartments. As a result of the severe flooding, over 60 residents were displaced in Chapel Hill alone.
The Haw River experienced “major flooding,” cresting at 32.5 feet, which marks the highest level since 1996. Warnings have been issued for moderate flooding in areas like Moncure and Lillington, while additional flooding risks extend to Manchester and Fayetteville. Four tornadoes were also reported in the state, causing disturbances at the Raleigh Executive Jetport.
Flash Flood Warnings and Advisories were declared for parts of south-central and eastern Virginia, southern and eastern Maryland, Delaware, southern New Jersey, and southeastern Pennsylvania. Additionally, hazardous surf conditions are anticipated for beaches stretching from northeastern Florida to the Mid-Atlantic.
Tropical Depression Chantal made landfall as a tropical storm near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, representing the first storm of the 2023 hurricane season to make landfall in the United States. Rainfall forecasts predicted 2 to 4 inches of rain across many areas, with localized totals surpassing 6 inches.
The highest rainfall amounts were recorded in a 30-mile corridor spanning from near Pittsboro to Mebane, with estimates ranging between 8 to 12 inches. More heavy showers and thunderstorms are forecasted to sweep from Washington D.C. to New York and Boston, raising concerns for flash floods in those areas. The tropical moisture linked to Chantal is likely to linger, producing additional heavy rains and storms in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions over the coming days.
In response to the flooding and storm damage, a state of emergency has been declared in Moore County. Unfortunately, Chantal has also contributed to one confirmed fatality, with an 83-year-old woman losing her life after her vehicle was swept away by floodwaters in Chatham County. Additionally, around 19,000 customers experienced power outages due to the storm.
Road conditions have been severely impacted, with over 100 roads reported as flooded in and around Chatham County. Notably, a segment of NC 902 was closed after being washed away. Further damage occurred in a mobile home park near the Raleigh Executive Jetport due to high winds, possibly from a tornado. Local businesses, including a shopping center in Southern Pines, have also reported significant flooding effects impacting their operations.
As the aftermath of Tropical Depression Chantal continues to unfold, residents are urged to stay informed about weather updates and adhere to safety measures as the risk of additional flooding looms.
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Additional Resources
- The New York Times
- Wikipedia: Tropical depression
- ABC11
- Google Search: Tropical depression Chantal
- The Washington Post
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tropical depression
- AP News
- Google News: Chantal flooding
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
