Governor Josh Stein recently visited Alamance and Orange Counties to assess the damage caused by Tropical Storm Chantal. During his visit, he expressed gratitude to first responders for their efforts in ensuring public safety. The tour included a stop at Lake Michael Dam, which was at risk of failure as water levels rose on Sunday. Emergency responders successfully evacuated the surrounding area.
“Our hearts go out to the families who lost a loved one during the storm. I am grateful to the local and state emergency responders who worked quickly to evacuate people and keep so many people safe,” said Governor Josh Stein. “As counties across central North Carolina continue to recover, we will be there to support them.”
Local States of Emergency are still active in Alamance, Moore, Orange, and Person Counties with two emergency operations centers activated. Efforts are underway to restore power, utilities, and road access. On Monday, several major roads were reopened by NC DOT, including I-40/85 in Alamance County. However, 65 roads remain closed due to storm impacts. Residents are advised to exercise caution near creeks and low-lying roads where flooding and debris may still be present.
“This historic weather event caused flooding like we haven’t seen in several decades in the central part of the state,” stated Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins. “We are working as quickly as possible to assess and reopen roads as soon as water levels recede and our crews are safely able to do so.”
“The State Emergency Response Team remains in close coordination with our state and local partners as we collectively navigate and assess the impacts from Tropical Storm Chantal,” said Director Will Ray of North Carolina Emergency Management. “This is a reminder for all North Carolinians to be informed, have a plan, and have a disaster kit ready to go at home.”
For real-time travel information, residents can visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media platforms.
Local governments advise following their websites or social media for updates while avoiding closed areas until repairs are completed. Many local emergency management agencies offer public notification systems that residents can subscribe to for updates.
North Carolina Emergency Management officials provide several safety tips during flooding events:
– Listen closely to local weather forecasts since flash floods can occur unexpectedly.
– Enable emergency alerts on cell phones for notifications from the National Weather Service.
– Respect barricades meant for safety; if encountered, find an alternative route instead of bypassing them.
– Avoid driving through flooded areas; even two feet of moving water can sweep away vehicles.
– Refrain from walking through moving water; six inches can knock someone down.
Residents can also access fiman.nc.gov for flood gauge alerts closest to their homes.
