Carolina Beach, North Carolina As a potential tropical storm swirled near the North Carolina coast on Monday, one coastal town declared a state of emergency due to storm-related flooding.
Officials in Carolina Beach urged residents to stay home as they dealt with more than 18 inches of rain that fell since midnight.
Video from the town showed cars being towed off flooded roads and vehicles driving through high floodwaters. Carolina Beach officials urged people not to drive through flooded roads.
in Post to FacebookCarolina Beach Mayor Lynn Barbee said the fire department has received calls for help from residents trapped in flooded homes and businesses. She also said storm water crews have been rescued from rising waters.
“Everyone, please do not go out,” Barbee wrote in the post. “The dhow is barely passable. Hennikers Ditch is full. EOC is on the way to you as fast as they can. You have 24 of the most qualified professionals working hard on your behalf.”
In an afternoon update, the mayor said people were being evacuated to Carolina Beach City Hall, and high water rescue trucks continued to rescue people trapped in floodwaters.
New Hanover County Fire Rescue announced Monday night that rescue crews were still out in full force. “So far, we have rescued over a dozen residents and several pets,” the fire rescue department said in a statement. Facebook Post.
The National Weather Service reported: Carolina Beach Elementary School The school was flooded, but FOX Weather storm specialist Mike Seidel, reporting from Carolina Beach, said it didn't appear the school was flooded.
In a statement, New Hanover County Schools All students at Carolina Beach Elementary School were reportedly returned home safely, although some students were trapped at the school for several hours because their parents were unable to get there due to flooding.
The students were transported home by the sheriff's office in a high-water vehicle, according to the statement.
All other schools dismissed two hours early due to flooding and inclement weather, according to the school district.
Carolina Beach Town Hall and Recreation Center also are closed. Facebook post from the town He said the building is expected to reopen on Tuesday.
The flooding in Carolina Beach has led to some interesting discoveries. FOX weather reporter Brandi Campbell caught a few fish swimming through the flooded roadway. “Wow! This is amazing!” she said in the video.
