Rescues, roads closed, flooding at NC coast amid 18 inches of rain; includes list of rainfall totals

WILMINGTON, NC. (WNCN) — As torrential rain fell Monday and winds led to high surf, there was significant flooding along the North Carolina coast due to Potential Tropical Cyclone 8.

Several flash flood warnings were active in Brunswick, New Hanover, Columbus, and Bladen counties and dozens of roads, cars and buildings were flooded in areas along the coast.

“Extremely heavy rain” was reported in many areas, according to the Sunset Beach Police Department in Brunswick County. Key roads such as U.S. 17 in Brunswick County and U.S. 74/76 were closed in Columbus County.

Radar data indicated 18 inches of rain in the Carolina Beach area and 13 inches in Brunswick County. Scroll down in the story for a list of rainfall totals.

A state of emergency was declared in Carolina Beach in New Hanover County, where at least 4 feet of water was covering Lake Park Blvd next to Carolina Beach Lake Park. At least one vehicle was abandoned in deep water.

A shelter for people needing help was opened Monday evening by the American Red Cross at Carolina Beach Recreation Center at 1121-B North Lake Blvd.

Carolina Beach Elementary School plus a dozen other structures were flooded before noon. Lawn furniture could be seen floating away in Carolina Beach near Lake Park Boulevard.

Just after 3 p.m., U.S. 17 was closed and water rescues were underway near Randolphville Road NE. Also, U.S. 74/76 closed at NC 11 due to flooding.

N.C. 211 in Brunswick County was closed where bridges were damaged over Duke Energy Canal and Dutchman Creek. 

Water was up to the door handles of several vehicles stranded on U.S. 17 as of 3:10 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

In Southport, several roads were also flooded or washed out, according to town police. East Leonard Street between Jabbertown and Fire Fly was heavily flooded and impassible, Southport police said.

More than 3 feet of floodwater covered the parking lot at the Brunswick County courthouse around 1 p.m.

North Carolina Emergency Operations Center released rainfall totals for Monday:

• Ocean Blvd at Carolina Beach: 18.32”
• 1 mile S of Snows Cut Bridge: 14.83”
• Sunny Point Military Terminal in Brunswick Co.: 14.59”
• Boiling Springs Lake: 14.16”
• Half mile N of Snows Cut Bridge: 14.01”
• Saint James (Brunswick County): 13.34”
• Abbington Oaks in Southport: 12.74”
• Mallory Creek at Leland: 6.78”
• Wilmington Airport: 3.61”

Flooding extended up to the Outer Banks where the north end of Ocracoke Island was partly underwater, according to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Officials said the flooding there was from a combination of a higher-than-average high tide and high surf advisory.

“Travelers should also use caution at the north end of Ocracoke Island around high tides through the rest of this week,” Cape Hatteras National Seashore said.

On Hatteras Island, there were hazards at the north end of Rodanthe, due to building materials and parts of septic systems, from threatened oceanfront structures.

Also, there will likely be ocean overwash in Hatteras, Buxton, Rodanthe, and near the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge visitor center, seashore officials said.