RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper Tuesday declared a state of emergency in southeastern counties as more than 50 roads along with many schools and businesses were still closed after a no-name storm hit the coast, spawning a tornado and dumping nearly 21 inches of rain near Wilmingto n Monday.
North Carolina braced for a storm that forecasters warned could bring heavy rain — as much as 6 to 8 inches in some spots. But one narrow band got a “firehose” that dumped historic rain amounts in a so-called 1,000-year flood, triggering flash floods that damaged many homes, businesses and roads.
Click to get a full list of NC rainfall totals
As of Tuesday, 52 roads in 12 counties were closed including seven key routes and a main coastal highway with the majority in Brunswick County, which has closed schools this entire week. Major road closures include portions of U.S. 17, N.C. 211 and N.C. 133 in Brunswick County and a stretch of N.C. 12 on the northern end of Ocracoke Island.