Unexpected flooding in areas of Carolina Beach as afternoon storm drops 4 inches of rain in 2 hours

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — One New Hanover County town was dealing with flooding Friday but not because of Debby.

In 2 hours, more than 4 inches of rain fell in Carolina Beach Friday afternoon, which caused issues for the town’s drainage systems that were already working hard to clear water following Debby.

Parts of Lake Park Boulevard, Fourth Street, Canal Drive, and many other streets were flooded.

WWAY spoke with one resident who said he hadn’t seen flooding like this before.

There’s a gentleman back a couple streets from Birmingham,” William Brooks said. “He was in the middle of the road, the water was up to his knees so that’s a good 3 feet or more. I’ve been living right here in Paradise Towers for the last 3 years. This is the first time the way it is now that I’ve seen it like this.”

Town manager Bruce Oakley said it’s unusual to see flooding in these areas.

“We had areas of town flooded that we’ve never seen flooded before including Lake Park Boulevard,” Oakley said. “A lot of big portions of we’ve seen flooded during hurricanes but nothing like this.”

Oakley said crews were out keeping storm drains clear to aid with water drainage on flooded streets.