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North Carolina flash floods: Videos show I-40, Mebane, and Chapel Hill inundated as evacuation orders issued

Flash flooding from Tropical Depression Chantal caused severe disruption in central North Carolina, prompting evacuations in Mebane and Chapel Hill.

Published on: Jul 7, 2025, 09:25:20 IST
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Flash flooding triggered by the remnants of Tropical Depression Chantal brought chaos to parts of central North Carolina on Sunday night. Viral videos showed homes underwater, roads washed out, and residents forced to evacuate in multiple communities, including Mebane and Chapel Hill.

(Representational image) Central North Carolina experienced flash flooding due to Tropical Depression Chantal, leading to widespread evacuations and road closures. (Photo by Brandon Bell / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) (Getty Images via AFP)
(Representational image) Central North Carolina experienced flash flooding due to Tropical Depression Chantal, leading to widespread evacuations and road closures. (Photo by Brandon Bell / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) (Getty Images via AFP)

Shortly after 8 PM, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning, reporting that as much as six inches of rain had fallen over the Chapel Hill area in just a few hours, per CBS17.

The Chapel Hill Police Department said that as of 9:20 PM, emergency crews were evacuating flooded apartments in the Camelot Village complex on South Estes Drive.

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The situation was worse in Mebane, west of Raleigh, where videos posted on social media captured water pouring into homes. “HOMES FLOODING in Mebane, North Carolina, from the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal right now!” an NC-based meteorologist wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Officials say dozens of homes in the area could be affected by the rising waters.

Several social media users reported that a tornado may have touched down in the area.

Notably, in Mebane, flooding forced officials to shut down I-40/85 entirely.

Local police and rescue teams are working through the night to assist those trapped by floodwaters or forced from their homes.

  • Tuhin Das Mahapatra
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    Tuhin Das Mahapatra

    Tuhin Das Mahapatra is a key member of the US Team at Hindustan Times, crafting compelling narratives on politics, US visa, Hollywood, esports, anime, and beyond. This erudite literature student, if not penning down a narrative with his modest yet trusty pen, is deeply contemplating 'what the purpose of journalism is?Read More

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