In response to widespread damage caused by Tropical Storm Chantal, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has declared a state of emergency, enabling emergency operations across affected regions.
The executive order, signed Wednesday, July 16, enables government officials to take extra measures to protect the public. The storm swept through the central part of the state early last week, causing historic flooding and damages to several Central NC counties.
damage from Chantal
Chantal unloaded more than 10 inches of rain in counties including Alamance, Orange, Chatham, Moore, and others. In the Piedmont, rivers swelled to record or near‑record levels: the Haw River crested at 32.5 ft and the Eno River set a new crest at 25.63 ft. The storm surpassed “hundred‑year flood” levels in places like Saxapahaw, where watermarks surpassed those from both 1945 and 1996 floods.
Additionally, NCDOT officials reported over 120 road closures, including major arteries such as I-40 and I-85 in Alamance county. At least 5 deaths have been confirmed, and 80 rescues have been completed in Chapel Hill and Durham.
response from the governor’s office
In a press release, Gov. Stein stated the importance of declaring a state of emergency in order to carry out proper recovery assistance.
“Tropical Storm Chantal cost some of our neighbors their lives and others their livelihood and property. We must do everything we can to support them as they get back on their feet,” said Stein.
He noted that federal assistance may be needed in the recovery process as well.
“This State of Emergency will help get North Carolinians the support they need and enable the state to seek out potential funding to help communities rebuild,” he said.
importance of declaring a state of emergency
The governor’s office emphasized that declaring a state of emergency is a critical step in recovery response to natural disasters. Since July 5, the State Emergency Response Team has been actively supporting local emergency managers and first responders with essential services.
While the team can assist during the response phase without a formal declaration, issuing a state of emergency enables access to broader state and federal recovery assistance, according to Gov. Stein.
The State of Emergency is in effect in Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Lee, Moore, Orange, Person, Randolph, and Wake Counties.
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