NC Towns Hit with 12 Hours of Rainfall Totaling a Foot

Parts of southeastern North Carolina are currently facing “life-threatening flash flooding” as a potential tropical system brings unprecedented rainfall. According to weather officials, some areas have recorded rain totals that are typically seen only once in hundreds of years.

The towns of Carolina Beach, Boiling Springs Lakes, and Southport have experienced over a foot of rain within just the first 12 hours of Monday. This kind of deluge is described by the National Weather Service’s Wilmington office as an event that averages only once every 200 years. Particularly alarming is Carolina Beach, where more than 18 inches of rain fell in half a day, an occurrence they noted is estimated to happen only once every 1,000 years.

The low-pressure system, while not organized enough to be officially designated as a tropical storm, still poses significant risks. The National Hurricane Center issued warnings concerning the potential for flash floods and strong wind gusts that have been reported reaching up to 77 mph. As of 5 p.m. ET, the system was located 45 miles west of Cape Fear, North Carolina, with sustained winds at 35 mph.

AccuWeather meteorologist Bernie Rayno noted that the region is already experiencing severe weather impacts akin to those from a named tropical storm, including flash flooding, tornado warnings, rough surf, and beach erosion along the coastal Carolinas. The flooding is particularly severe on some roads in Carolina Beach, where water levels have reportedly reached at least three feet high.

Given these conditions, the National Weather Service has strongly advised drivers to avoid flooded roads and never attempt to bypass barricades, highlighting troubling images of vehicles navigating through the submerged areas.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has echoed this message, encouraging residents in affected areas to refrain from unnecessary driving. They shared a harrowing image of a road in Southport, almost completely submerged due to the storm’s effects.

Forecasts indicate the storm will traverse through the Carolinas from Monday evening until early Wednesday. The heavy rainfall may not only affect local areas but could also pose risks of isolated flooding across the entire Mid-Atlantic region, according to the National Hurricane Center.

As the situation develops, the National Hurricane Center suggests that the storm may not strengthen significantly before landfall and is likely to weaken further as it moves inland, dissipating by Wednesday. Elevated tides associated with the full moon, coupled with large swells and strong northeast winds, are predicted to result in minor to moderate flooding along the coast throughout the week. Potential new storm systems may also heighten the risk of more severe coastal flooding.

In a related note, Tropical Depression Gordon has diminished in strength after moving through the Atlantic, as noted by the National Hurricane Center, and poses no immediate threat to land.

The storm currently impacting the Carolinas, referred to as Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight, is experiencing maximum sustained winds that exceed the 39 mph threshold required for tropical storm classification. However, its disorganized center limits its official designation. AccuWeather’s lead hurricane expert, Alex DaSilva, explained that for it to be classified as a tropical storm, it needs to form a well-defined center of circulation, estimating a 70% chance of that occurring on Monday morning.

Despite its uncertain classification, DaSilva remarked that the impacts, including potential flash flooding and wind gusts up to 60 mph, will likely remain the same, along with risks of tornadoes developing suddenly, which could further jeopardize safety in the area.

Coastal erosion is a significant concern, particularly since local beaches have already been weakened following Hurricane Debby just last month. Given the vulnerability of the coastline, any additional weather impacts could exacerbate existing issues.

Notably, many schools in North Carolina were closed Monday due to the severe weather. Brunswick County Schools announced that students should remain at home, with teachers given the option for a workday. Brunswick Community College also canceled classes, with arrangements for remote learning where feasible. Similar measures were taken in Bladen, Columbus, and Whiteville counties.

As the storm unfolds, the Outer Banks region has heightened warnings concerning dangerous currents, advising swimmers—particularly those inexperienced—to stay out of the water. Reports of rip currents and hazardous shore breaks have raised safety concerns for beachgoers.

Source: USA TODAY