SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Area officials are reminding people to avoid driving when possible — or at the very least remain extremely cautious — as impacts from tropical cyclone eight are being felt region-wide.
READ MORE: Tropical storm warning in tri-county area, multiple closures
In Carolina Beach, pictures shared by the National Weather Service indicated multiple areas are flooded, with water rising quickly around parked cars and over-washing others near Carolina Beach Lake. It only takes six inches of water to flood most vehicles and a foot or two to cause them to float.
Dow Road was almost impassable Monday morning, according to Mayor Lynn Barbee, and Lake Park Boulevard was rippling with waves. He advised all residents to avoid driving throughout the island.
NWS measured more than a foot of rainfall since midnight Sunday in the southern New Hanover County beach town. This includes 18.32 inches on Ocean Boulevard, and 14.83 inches a mile south and 14.01 inches half a mile north of Snow’s Cut Bridge.
High water rescue vehicles have been deployed on the roads to help people evacuate their homes or cars. The mayor indicated on his social media that “rapid fire rescue calls continue from residents unable to get out of their homes and businesses.”
According to NWS, 12 inches of rain in 12 hours is expected to happen on average once every 200 years. Eighteen inches in the same timeframe is a once-every-1,000-years event.
In neighboring Brunswick County, Commissioner Chairman Randy Thompson signed a state of emergency, which gives the sheriff’s office control over impeded roadways that could be affected by water or fallen debris.
“Residents and visitors are encouraged to stay off the roads and stay alert as the storm passes through,” he said in a release.
Traffic along U.S. 17 near Bolivia began congesting at noon Monday, due to impassable sections of the highway. Five hours later, hundreds of cars aligned the thoroughfare, stuck by floodwaters that had yet receded. The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office was unclear when the roads could open again.
However, it posted road updates on its socials to keep the public abreast of more closures, from Winnabow to Boiling Springs Lakes. It also noted a collapsed road at Sunset Harbor Road in Bolivia, as well as Stuart Avenue and Moore Street in Southport.
NC 211 collapsed as well in two areas: between Walmart and Dosher Cutoff and at Executive Park Boulevard, located near St. James.
“As soon as it becomes safe, NCDOT crews will mobilize teams to make emergency repairs to impacted roads, including N.C. 211 where bridges are damaged over Duke Energy Canal and Dutchman Creek,” the state transportation department indicated Monday afternoon.
The City of Southport has closed off all thru and inbound traffic until further notice, as well as initiated other road closures in town:
- W. 11th at Lord and Caswell
- Leonard St at Jabbertown Rd
- E. 11th at Brunswick Apartments
- Robert Ruark at Southport Way
- Fodale Ave at N. Howe, entrance to Dosher Memorial Hospital
- W. 12th from Howe to Caswell
- Cades Cove at 14th Street
Nearby on Oak Island, officials restricted movement on and off the island earlier Monday. Both lanes of G.V. Barbee Bridge were closed; traffic that was allowed through was being directed to use Swains Cut Bridge and E.F. Middleton Boulevard.
Other closures on OKI included:
- East Oak Island Drive at SE 51st Street
- Northbound lane on Long Beach Road
- 3400 block of North Carolina 211 near Pine Forest
The Oak Island Volunteer Fire Department is also utilizing high water rescue vehicles for voluntary evacuations as needed.
While roadways in Wilmington have not been as heavily affected by flooding, power outages impacted stoplights, according to Wilmington Police Department Lt. Greg Willett.
“Several intersections are currently being powered by WPD Mobile Command Post Unit generators to keep traffic flowing as smooth as possible,” Willett noted in a release from the department. “Some roadways are experiencing standing water.”
For traffic light outages not powered by generators, motorists are advised to treat the intersection like a four-way stop.
An additional 3 to 5 inches of rain is expected as the storm exits the region. Officials remind drivers who must be on the road: “Turn around, don’t drown” when approaching pooling water. It’s unknown how deep it could be or if there is a sinkhole. This is particularly important during night-driving, as rain puddles aren’t as visibly evident.
The flooding will continue in coming days as well, as waters travel downstream and king tides are slated to bring higher-than-normal flooding levels through Sept. 23. A nonscientific term, “king tides” refer to the highest tides of the year. This week they coincide with the super moon, also a partial lunar eclipse, on Sept. 17.
This type of flooding affects coastal towns and low-lying areas across the whole region. On Pleasure Island, it normally impacts roads including Canal Drive, Florida Avenue, Winner Avenue, and Carolina Beach Avenue North.
Officials advise travelers to avoid going around barricades or signs indicating road closures. All closures can be tracked via NCDOT here.
Have tips or concerns? Email info@localdailymedia.com.
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
