NORTH CAROLINA —- Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall in central North Carolina on Sunday, July 6, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming at least five lives, state officials confirmed. The storm brought severe flooding and widespread damage across multiple counties, prompting immediate response from state and local emergency management teams.
Governor Surveys Damage, Meets with Local Officials
On July 8, Governor Josh Stein, accompanied by NC DOT Secretary Joey Hopkins and NC Emergency Management Director Will Ray, conducted a damage assessment tour of Alamance County. The officials visited Lake Michael Park, which served as a crucial evacuation zone during the storm’s peak intensity, and met with local officials to coordinate recovery efforts.
State of Emergency Facilitates Recovery Support
In response to the widespread flooding caused by Tropical Storm Chantal, Governor Stein has declared a State of Emergency for 13 counties. This declaration, made in accordance with the North Carolina Emergency Management Act, is designed to facilitate long-term recovery efforts and enable access to both state and federal recovery assistance programs.
The State Emergency Response Team has been actively engaged since July 5, working closely with local emergency managers and first responders to provide critical information, resources, and support to affected communities.
Governor Continues Outreach in Chapel Hill
Today, Governor Stein extended his damage assessment efforts to Chapel Hill, where he met with local officials, business owners, and residents impacted by the storm. The governor visited affected areas including Eastgate Crossing and Camelot Village, where community members are working to rebuild and recover from the storm’s impact.
Ongoing Weather Concerns and Safety Warnings
Additional storms throughout the past week have continued to generate flash flooding conditions across the region, creating ongoing safety concerns for residents and travelers. State officials are urging continued vigilance as weather conditions remain unstable.
Travel and Safety Information
For real-time travel updates and road conditions, residents are advised to visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media platforms. Emergency Management officials strongly recommend that all residents:
- Listen to local weather forecasts regularly
- Enable emergency notifications on their devices
- Follow the critical safety rule: “If you see flooding – turn around, don’t drown!”
Recovery efforts are expected to continue for several weeks as communities work to restore normal operations and repair storm damage across the affected counties.
