Tropical Depression Chantal brought up to 10 inches of rain in parts of North Carolina on Sunday, creating significant flooding.
The storm made landfall as a tropical storm early Sunday in South Carolina and then moved inland and upward as a tropical depression. It is headed northeast and will hit parts of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey.
Central North Carolina was hit hardest by the storm. Thousands of people remain without power. Two tornadoes were confirmed.
No fatalities have been reported as of Monday.
Forecasters have warned that the storm could still release large amounts of rain in North Carolina, which could lead to flooding.
“While things will improve across North Carolina, they may worsen for areas further to the northeast,” said Frank Pereira, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “We’re advising people not to go out and travel unless absolutely necessary.”
Pereira noted urban areas were the most at risk of flooding.
Orange County, which includes Chapel Hill, declared a state of emergency on Sunday. Chapel Hill firefighters executed more than 50 water rescues Sunday evening through early Monday, and 63 people were displaced from their homes.
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The Haw River swelled to 32.5 feet overnight. The river lies just outside Burlington, about 60 miles northwest of Raleigh.
The flooding caused many road closures, including part of Interstate 40/Interstate 85, which has since reopened.