Death toll climbs after flash flooding in North Carolina; some rivers are still rising
North Carolina is still dealing with the effects of severe flash flooding that left at least 11 people dead across the state on Thursday.
The weather system tied to Tropical Storm Eta pounded the state with heavy rain, dropping more than 9 inches in some areas, including Rocky Mount, according to the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service extended its flash flood warning for much of central North Carolina until 3:45 p.m. Friday. Affected areas include Alamance, Chatham, Durham, Johnston, Orange and Wake counties.
Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday declared a state of emergency across North Carolina.
“While many rivers across western and central NC will crest today or are currently receding, rivers across eastern North Carolina will continue to rise through the weekend,” the governor’s office said in a news release.
The Neuse River in Smithfield reached “major” flood status, rising to 21.06 feet Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. It’s expected to crest later Friday at 21.5 feet. Near Goldsboro, forecasters say, the Neuse will likely rise to 25.6 feet on Sunday.
The Cape Fear River near Burgaw is expected to be at “moderate” flood level over the weekend and into next week. Forecasters predict it will top out at 12.8 feet Wednesday.
Among the hardest-hit areas of the state was Alexander County, roughly 65 miles northwest of Charlotte, where three people died Thursday and another 31 were rescued from a flooded campground. Friday, two more people were found dead, including an adult male and a 1-year-old boy.
The child’s body was found about 4 p.m., The Charlotte Observer reported.
“The devastation is beyond anything I’ve ever seen,” said Ryan Mayberry, chair of the county board of commissioners. “This just breaks my heart.”
Also in Alexander County, one person died after a car left the road and went into water, officials say.
Near Raleigh, police say a child drowned in the town of Rolesville. The child was found unresponsive after playing near a swollen creek.
Two people died near Statesville in Iredell County, roughly 40 miles north of Charlotte when their car traveled too fast “for the wet conditions ... and hydroplaned,” according to the N.C. Highway Patrol
The governor said there were also “fatalities from weather-related collisions or accidents” in Person and Rockingham counties.
“Our prayers go out to the families and friends of those who were injured or killed by these devastating floods,” Cooper said.
Across the state, flooding forced roads and interstates to close.
Interstate 95 North was down to one lane Friday near mile marker 104 in Johnston County, the N.C. Department of Transportation said.
As of Friday afternoon, more than 430 roads maintained by the state were closed, according to officials
This story was originally published November 13, 2020 at 8:26 AM.
