States of emergency declared for Orange and Moore Counties as Chantal floods North Carolina

Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall in South Carolina on July 6 and weakened into a tropical depression as it moved inland.

North Carolina experienced the most severe impacts, as flooding triggered by Chantal’s landfall prompted states of emergency in Moore and Orange counties, where multiple roads were damaged.

Areas across the Carolinas received over 127 mm (5 inches) of rainfall, with some reports indicating localized totals exceeding 177 mm (7 inches).

In South Carolina, Loris received 127.3 mm (5.01 inches) of rainfall, while Longs recorded 122.4 mm (4.82 inches) following Chantal’s landfall. In North Carolina, Lumber received 126.2 mm (4.97 inches), and Castle Hayne recorded 110.7 mm (4.36 inches).

At least one EF-0 tornado was confirmed near the Kings Grant neighborhood in Wilmington, North Carolina, with winds reaching 113 km/h (70 mph). The tornado damaged trees and roofs along its 2.7 km (1.68 mile) path.

Flooding caused widespread damage and led to multiple road closures, including sections of I-40 and I-85 in Orange County. The storm brought significant flooding to parts of North Carolina, leaving drivers stranded and roads submerged, prompting states of emergency in several counties.

Moore County is under a State of Emergency after severe weather washed out two dams, with more at risk of failure. Significant impacts were reported across the county, including on U.S. Highway 1, where officials closed part of the road due to flooding.

In Southern Pines, multiple roads were washed out, and a retaining wall collapsed near a shopping center on Brucewood Road.

According to Mike Anderson, Southern Pines fire chief and assistant town manager, the Longleaf Dam failed and flooded numerous homes and apartment complexes. Boat crews and swimmers were deployed to rescue individuals trapped in vehicles.

Anderson also reported that multiple retaining walls failed due to flooding, forcing multiple shopping centers to close.

Nearly 30 000 people across the Carolinas were without power on July 7, with over 29 400 outages in North Carolina and more than 500 in South Carolina.

Moore County Public Utilities advised customers in Pinehurst that the village is experiencing low water pressure after water mains were washed out by flooding. Customers are advised to boil water until normal pressure is restored.

Rishav Kothari

Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.

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