Context:

Heavy rain and flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal caused significant disruptions in central North Carolina, displacing over 60 people and necessitating more than 50 water rescues. Chapel Hill's Eastgate Crossings shopping center was severely affected, with businesses like Talbots and the Great Outdoor Provision Co. suffering damage from the floodwaters. In Chatham County, authorities were searching for two canoers who went missing during the storm, while more than 100 roads, including major interstates, were impacted. The storm, downgraded to a depression, continued to move northeast, with extensive power outages and flood warnings across multiple states. Despite the destruction, there were no reported injuries, and officials emphasized the priority of safety over property loss.

Dive Deeper:

• In central North Carolina, the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal led to heavy rain and flooding, resulting in the displacement of over 60 people and more than 50 water rescues by local emergency services.

• The Eastgate Crossings shopping center in Chapel Hill experienced severe flooding, causing damage to businesses like Talbots, where mannequins were scattered, and the Great Outdoor Provision Co., where kayaks were displaced and store shelves were toppled.

• Two canoers from Chatham County went missing during the storm, prompting a search by authorities; their canoe was found, but they remained unaccounted for as of Monday morning.

• The storm impacted over 100 roads, including major highways like Interstate 85 and Interstate 40 near Durham, which were closed due to flooding, while the Eno and Haw Rivers reached near-record water levels.

• More than 30,000 customers faced power outages, and the storm, downgraded to a depression, was expected to move northeast, affecting several mid-Atlantic states with flood warnings and dangerous surf conditions.

• Despite the widespread damage and disruptions, no injuries were reported, and officials emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety over property during the ongoing assessments and recovery efforts.

• The storm, which made landfall in South Carolina, continued its path northeast, with forecasters warning of continued rainfall and hazardous conditions across the affected regions.