Tropical Storm Chantal left a trail of destruction across North Carolina over the weekend, with four confirmed deaths and four tornadoes reported as the system moved rapidly from the Southeast to the Northeast. By Monday evening, the storm had moved off the coast of New Jersey.
The State Highway Patrol confirmed the death of an 83-year-old woman in Chapel Hill, while the Orange County Sheriff’s Office reported the death of a 58-year-old woman in Cedar Grove. A spokesman for Alamance County confirmed the third death in Mebane. All three individuals were found deceased in vehicles that attempted to travel during or shortly after the storm.
Two individuals were reported missing after boating on Jordan Lake in Chatham County on Sunday evening. One body was recovered Monday. The search for the second person was paused at nightfall and resumed Tuesday morning.
The National Weather Service confirmed four tornadoes touched down in Lee, Chatham, Alamance, and Orange counties. While damage assessments are ongoing, reports indicate substantial structural and environmental impact in affected areas.
As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, the North Carolina Department of Transportation reported 66 road closures due to storm damage, including one federal highway, three state roads, and 62 secondary roads. Crews are continuing recovery and clearing operations.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has not independently confirmed the storm-related deaths and referred all inquiries to local law enforcement agencies.
