New Hanover County has initiated cleanup efforts following a severe storm that brought record rainfall, surpassing the impacts of Hurricane Florence. From Monday midnight to Monday afternoon, the county experienced an astonishing 18.32 inches of rain, described as a once-in-a-thousand-year event.
“Conditions deteriorated extremely quickly,” remarked local resident and business owner Jeff Clemens, who operates a business on the boardwalk. “It was far worse than Florence.” He spent the day assessing the damage in the area, stating, “I’ve never witnessed anything like this.”
Some coastal regions accumulated over a foot of rain in just a few hours. In response to the devastation, New Hanover County has declared a state of emergency, with towns like Carolina Beach and Kure Beach working to repair the damage caused by the unnamed storm.
Carolina Beach Mayor Lynn Barbee reported that emergency services conducted 115 rescues on Monday, including 14 for animals. Barbee mentioned that local officials would evaluate the damage assessments to guide the cleanup process, with a decision on debris removal expected by Tuesday evening or Wednesday once the full extent of the damage is assessed.
On Tuesday, local officials convened with Governor Roy Cooper’s office to determine the need for state support. Governor Cooper emphasized the importance of preparedness in facing unexpected severe weather and urged residents to stay safe, avoid flooded roadways, and check on their neighbors as more rain was anticipated throughout the day.
In the aftermath, resident Mike Bahr dealt with flooding in his garage. Bahr, who moved to Carolina Beach from New Jersey years ago, spent the day sorting through belongings to salvage what he could. He noted the water level in his garage had risen to 15 inches, indicating the severity of the situation. “We just pulled everything out to clean up and prevent mold,” he explained.