Carolina Beach, N.C. The coastal town of Carolina Beach has declared a state of emergency as Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight brings heavy rain and flooding to the area. Officials have urged residents to stay home while the town deals with more than 18 inches of rain that has fallen since midnight on Monday.
Videos from Carolina Beach show cars being towed from flooded streets and vehicles attempting to drive through high floodwaters. The mayor, Lynn Barbee, has urged people not to drive through flooded roads. In a Facebook post, she informed the public about rescue efforts and advised them to remain indoors.
High-water vehicles have been deployed to rescue people trapped in their homes or businesses by rising floodwaters. New Hanover County Fire Rescue reported that its rescue team had saved over a dozen residents and even some pets so far.
There are conflicting reports about the flooding at Carolina Beach Elementary School. The National Weather Service has indicated that the school was flooded, but FOX Weather Storm Specialist Mike Seidel, who is reporting from Carolina Beach, said it doesn’t appear to have flooded.
New Hanover County Schools has confirmed that all students from Carolina Beach Elementary were safely transported home via high-water vehicles by the sheriff’s office. Due to the flooding and weather conditions, all other schools in the area were dismissed two hours early. Carolina Beach Town Hall and the Recreation Center were also closed, but are expected to reopen on Tuesday.
