After 8 months in limbo, displaced NC families finally return home post-Chantal
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Orange Habitat repaired 10 homes, aiding Weatherhill Pointe and Canterbury residents.
- Chantal dumped 9–12 inches, caused six deaths and over $42M public damage.
- Post-storm off-market sales surged; investors bought multiple Weatherhill homes.
Nearly eight months after tropical storm flood waters ravaged Carrboro’s Weatherhill Pointe neighborhood near Morgan Creek, Peter and Catherine Burke, both in their 80s, have finally returned home.
Despite torrential rain, movers pulled up to their driveway Thursday ahead of schedule. With the help of friends, the couple unloaded dozens of boxes into their newly renovated 1,380-square-foot transitional home and began to unpack.
They’re among a handful of families back under their own roof thanks to Orange County Habitat for Humanity’s Home Repair Program. They have been living in a friend’s spare bedroom in Durham’s Southpoint.
“It’s taken a long time, but it’s nice to be back,” said Peter Burke, who faced over $40,000 on remediation alone, removing soaked drywall, flooring and insulation. For weeks, the stench of waste hung in the air. It’s been replaced by the scent of fresh paint and cut wood.
“The plumbing works. The internet gets connected tomorrow. It’s back to a normal American life,” he said.
When Tropical Storm Chantal hit Central North Carolina in early July, it dumped 9 to 12 inches of rain in some locations, stressing stormwater systems, damaging homes and businesses, and displacing dozens overnight. It caused six deaths and over $42 million in public infrastructure damage.
Like most North Carolinians, the Burkes didn’t have flood insurance. Their home sits just outside the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s special flood hazard area where insurance is required.
During the storm, they took refuge in the attic and were among 57 water rescues from Weatherhill Pointe alone. In less than four hours, at least a quarter of the 80-home neighborhood completely flooded out. The overflow from nearby University Lake’s dam pushed a torrent of water downstream, adding to the deluge.
In Chantal’s aftermath, Orange Habitat raised nearly $300,000 to repair 10 homes in Weatherhill Pointe and nearby Canterbury Townhomes, including water removal and drying, demolition and debris removal, mold remediation and reconstruction.
“Habitat completely rebuilt floors and walls — at no cost whatsoever to the homeowners who had already suffered so much,” said Jennifer Player, president and CEO of Orange Habitat at the group’s “Opening Doors Housing Summit” earlier this month. “Following months of displacement, I’m thrilled these families are returning.”
Flood insurance at $4,000 a year
But even as Weatherhill Pointe residents slowly settle back into their lives, the neighborhood remains in flux.
Burke says they’re worried about plummeting house prices and their ability to secure affordable flood insurance. He’s heard estimates upwards of $4,000 per year, which he says is hard to swallow.
Many longtime residents also fear the next major storm. They want to know what’s being done to mitigate the risks, including from University Lake and its aging dam.
“Intellectually, you can say, ‘Oh, that was a unique event. We’re not going to get 10 inches of rain again anytime soon.’ On the other hand, we don’t know when anytime soon is. It’s a concern.”
Last November, residents met Carrboro Fire Chief Will Potter and officials from the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), a public, non-for-profit utility that manages the dam. It’s part of ongoing talks to develop an “informed evacuation plan” for residents living nearby, OWASA spokesperson Katie Hall said.
In the meantime, many say the subdivision is quickly being transformed from owner-occupied to rental properties.
After Chantal, an N&O analysis of Orange County property deeds uncovered a surge in post-disaster deal making. Records showed that at least six homes were sold in off-market sales, totaling over $212,000 in profit for five investors, between August and October last year.
Among them: LTD Investment Partners, Sun Brent and Manifest Investment Solutions from the Triangle; Onnix Investments from Arizona; and TriOaks Capital, under New Western, from Texas.
It’s unclear what investors have planned for the properties. The N&O reached out, but they did not respond to requests for comment.
On this Thursday afternoon, most of the newly purchased homes remain vacant. Waterlogged drywall and flooring have been removed, but work was at a standstill. Minutes from the Feb. 16 HOA meeting flagged five investor-owned properties as delinquent on dues — a potential early sign of financial strain.
Down the street, the owners of 306 Berryhill Drive tried to sell their 1,625-square-foot home “as is” for $315,000 on Aug. 12, without much luck. After four price cuts, they removed the listing. Eventually, in January, it sold off-market for $239,000, records show.
Nearby, another neighbor is hoping for a better outcome. They listed their newly renovated 2,007-square-foot home at 123 Weatherhill Pointe for $499,900 on Jan. 1, then dropped the price by $10,100 a month later.
It’s still on the market.
At some point, Burke says they might want to move closer to their children. He won’t rule out selling to investors. “We may have to go that route.”
