Governor Josh Stein declares state of emergency for Chantal-impacted counties, including Triad and Triangle

RALEIGH, N.C. (WGHP) — A state of emergency has been declared for several North Carolina counties as they deal with ongoing impacts from Tropical Storm Chantal earlier this month.

On Thursday, Governor Josh Stein declared a state of emergency for 13 counties, “to facilitate and support long-term recovery efforts from flooding caused by Tropical Storm Chantal.”

According to the governor’s release, this step is needed to make state and federal recovery assistance available to the affected counties.

“Tropical Storm Chantal cost some of our neighbors their lives and others their livelihood and property. We must do everything we can to support them as they get back on their feet,” said Stein. “This State of Emergency will help get North Carolinians the support they need and enable the state to seek out potential funding to help communities rebuild.” 

The State of Emergency covers Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Lee, Moore, Orange, Person, Randolph, and Wake Counties. 

Tropical Storm Chantal hit the area on July 7, causing record or near-record water levels for the Haw River, Eno River and Jordan Lake. Flooding impacted infrastructure including highways and forced evacuations in some neighborhoods.

Multiple people died due to the weather across the counties impacted by the state of emergency.

“The Division of Emergency Management is working with local officials to assess the scope of damage caused by Tropical Storm Chantal,” the release states. “As the full damage assessment is completed in concert with relevant federal partners, the declaration along with the assessment analysis will determine possible additional support that residents, businesses, and local governments may receive to accelerate the recovery process and support expenses incurred during the response phase of the disaster.”