Carolina Beach inundated with severe flooding

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Carolina Beach inundated by heavy rain on Monday as Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 made landfall in the Cape Fear. 

Some areas received 18 to 20 inches of rain in less than 24 hours. 

Multiple streets across the area, including Canal Drive, Carl Winner Avenue, and Lake Park Boulevard closed throughout the day as rising water flooded low-lying areas and left several cars stranded. 

Carolina Beach Town Manager Bruce Oakley said the flooding is the worst the town has seen since Hurricane Fran in 1996. 

“During Florence, we had 20 to 30 inches of rain over several days. We had reports of 14 to 20 inches in 12 hours, so it’s just more than any stormwater system can handle but we did our best to keep pumping. Crews are out there now still pumping. All our pumps are working, we’ve got crews still looking at drains, trying to make sure this water dissipates and flows away,” Oakley said. 

Many residents were caught off guard by the floodwaters. Caroline Harden and Sami Scarborough said the flooding is unprecedented. 

“I’ve been living here for three years, and I’ve never witnessed anything this bad,” Harden noted. 

“I’ve been here a little over five years. I’ve seen flooding back here, but nothing like this,” Scarborough added. 

Others, like Pama Hamlett sprang into action to help rescue loved ones. Hamlett’s daughter was stranded by the flooding with her four dogs. 

“She lives over in that green house there, and we’re trying to get her and our four dogs out of there,” Hamlett explained. 

Hamlett’s husband waded through rushing water to bring all four dogs to safety. 

The flooding also impacted local businesses. Michael McLaughlin owns The Fat Pelican on Lake Park Boulevard. He said the water came so quickly he had little time to prepare. 

“There’s water inside the building. I’m trying to get the stuff that was outside that floated away,” McLaughlin explained. 

However, like many long-time residents who have seen the most severe storms, McLaughlin remains optimistic. 

“Just take a garden hose in there. If you’ve ever been to the fat pelican, I’ll take a garden hose and I’ll wash it our real good, be ready to go again,” McLaughlin said. 

Town officials told WWAY as of Monday afternoon, there were at least 20 water rescues, and a dozen people sheltering in the Town Hall Recreation Center and local hotels.