Several cities in southeastern North Carolina experienced historic rainfall Monday as a potential tropical cyclone swept through the area. Rainfall in Carolina Beach, on the coast near Wilmington, in particular, set a notable record. According to the National Weather Service, 18 inches of rain fell over Ocean Boulevard in 12 hours – something that only happens “once every 1,000 years,” meteorologists said.
“Historic rain fell today over Carolina Beach, Southport and BSL,” the weather service in Wilmington wrote in a social media post Monday afternoon. “Volunteer gauges have measured over a foot of rain since midnight.”
Citing data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the weather service noted that the area averages 12 inches of rainfall in a 12-hour period only once every 200 years. That unusual limit was reached at several locations where gauges took rainfall measurements from midnight to noon Monday.
The 18 inches measured on Ocean Boulevard in Carolina Beach was the highest rainfall totals associated with this weather system. After that, the areas around the nearby Snows Cut Bridge, Sunny Point Military Terminal and Boiling Springs Lakes each received over 14 inches of rain in half a day. Parts of Southport and the city of St. James each recorded more than a foot of rain, while Leland, which is closer to Wilmington, recorded nearly 7 inches of rain. Rainfall amounts in Wilmington itself were considerably less. A measurement at the Wilmington Airport recorded just over 3 1/2 inches.
Dangerous flash flooding and strong, gusty winds hit parts of southeastern North Carolina on Monday as the National Hurricane Center warned that some impacts from the storm, which they called a potential Tropical Cyclone Eight, could be “life-threatening.” As of 5 p.m. EDT that afternoon, meteorologists estimated the system would bring another 4 to 8 inches of rain to parts of the region by the end of the night, with up to 10 inches of rain possible in some places.
The weather service in Wilmington released images of some of the damage caused by Monday’s rain and flooding. In Brunswick County, part of a road collapsed due to the weather, leaving fragments floating in a pit with muddy water collecting underneath.
“Extensive road washouts occurred throughout Brunswick County today due to heavy rains and flash flooding,” the statement said.
Meteorologists said no further rain was expected in the areas affected on Monday on Tuesday. The myriad flash flood warnings that had previously been in place for the entire area expired before midnight.
