One Year Since Tropical Storm Chantal, Neighborhoods Are Still at Risk
Acknowledging both progress and lingering uncertainty
In the year since Tropical Storm Chantal dumped 10 inches of rain on Carrboro in the span of a few hours on July 6, 2025, pushing University Lake 93 inches over its spillway and flooding neighborhoods downstream, many residents of Weatherhill Pointe moved out, renovated, and finally moved back into their homes. Some homes are still under construction and a few remain vacant. But residents' fears of catastrophic flooding in this quiet neighborhood remain.
“We are living with definite and strong post-traumatic stress disorder since the authorities have not taken concrete steps to mitigate the vulnerability to another University Lake reservoir spillover which leaves us open to a repeat flood event which would be a total and complete disaster for the community following Chantal,” said Stan Terrell, Weatherhill Pointe resident.
While residents recognize efforts to improve the emergency notification system, they nonetheless feel vulnerable to a possible repeat event. Peter Burke, resident of Weatherhill Pointe, appreciates that Orange County Alerts will operate with more targeted warnings but notes that residents still need to "pay attention to weather reports and the University Lake level, and have a community communication system."
Since the storm last year, the Town has focused on strengthening systems for coordination, communication, preparedness, and long-term resilience. One completed item was a resolution amending the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan to “evaluate and implement planning, engineering, operational, and mitigation measures along Morgan Creek,” which will reduce downstream flood risk.
The resolution includes “exploring the potential for University Lake Dam to be utilized as part of a broader strategy while evaluating alternative approaches” along with hydrologic and hydraulic analyses which will inform the design of mitigation actions and upgrade systems to support real-time awareness and response. It was adopted by Orange County’s Board of County Commissioners at their May 5 meeting. The text of the amendment was provided to The Carrborean by Ian Fowler, Assistant Chief of Emergency Management in Orange County Emergency Services. When the Plan is updated, it will be posted on the State's Hazard Mitigation Plans page.
Residents now wonder what will happen next. "What is not clear is how to operationalize this enabling resolution, particularly in regard to supporting strategies to prevent another flooding disaster," Terrell commented.
Carrboro’s Fire and Emergency Management Chief, Will Potter, maintains that including this action in the FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plan is “an important first step” and positions the Town to pursue federal mitigation funding in the future. Other steps taken by the Town in the past year include:
· Establishing an Emergency Management Planner position;
· Revising the Town’s Emergency Operations Plan to align with county and regional response frameworks, clarify roles, and incorporate lessons learned;
· Updating and expanding Emergency Operations Center procedures and staff training;
· Improving evacuation and public warning messaging;
· Enhancing regional coordination with county, Chapel Hill, and state agencies;
· Advancing plans to install stream gauges to improve real-time monitoring for waterways; and,
· Strengthening FEMA public assistance processes and recovery planning.
He added, “No single project or operational change can eliminate flood risk. Flooding is a complex issue that requires a combination of planning, monitoring, emergency preparedness, infrastructure improvements, and long-term mitigation. Our focus is on reducing risk where we can, improving situational awareness, and continuing to build the partnerships and capabilities that help protect our community before, during, and after future flood events.”
Meanwhile, OWASA, which manages drinking water and recreation at University Lake, has increased its communications with local residents and hosted a community meeting at the dam in November. OWASA also provided survey data to the Town of Carrboro and NC Emergency Management to calibrate stream gauges. But Katie Hall, Public Information Officer at OWASA, notes that the study described in the Hazard Mitigation Plan needs to be funded, “and we are not aware of funding available to this point.”
Carrboro Town Council Member, Catherine Fray (they/them), who assisted with remediation and recovery efforts in Weatherhill Pointe in the days and weeks following the storm, highlighted the importance of communication during weather events and encourages everyone to sign up for mobile emergency alerts.
They noted that Carrboro’s Emergency Management Team collaborated with OWASA and Orange County to change thresholds for flood evacuation alerts so people get warnings earlier and rescue teams arrive before conditions are dangerous, and helping people afford evacuation preparation including go-bags.
Residents were grateful for Orange County assistance established in the Drakeford Library Complex within one week of the storm, which facilitated loan and grant applications. Residents also noted that the Town of Carrboro waived permit fees for rebuilding their homes. However, they said it was difficult for some to find medium- and long-term temporary shelter on their own and there were inspection delays due to lack of Town staff. Fray said that updates to the Unified Development Ordinance include speeding up permitting by streamlining the information requested, documenting requirements clearly, and reducing the number of reviews for each application.
Fray noted the importance of stormwater management efforts informing work under the Unified Development Ordinance to expand restrictions on building in floodplains. “Carrboro’s stormwater utility staff are also working on how to improve stormwater management across the town so that less of the water that falls in Carrboro hits University Lake or our major creeks within the first few hours.”
Potter cautioned, “One important point of clarification is that University Lake Dam is not a flood control dam. Its primary purpose is water supply, and it is not designed or operated to provide flood storage or flood mitigation during heavy rainfall events. As a result, active management of lake levels is not, by itself, a flood mitigation strategy for downstream flooding.”
Fray explained that the dam is a solid wall of concrete with no controlled spillways. Neither Carrboro Town nor OWASA have the right to alter the dam so they believe this issue has to go through the state’s Department of Natural Resources and they have spoken to Representative Allen Buansi about accelerating that process.
They noted that the water that spilled over the dam at University Lake came from points west, outside of Carrboro’s jurisdiction with some parts under agricultural programs exempt from Orange County’s stormwater rules. Fray will continue to advocate for long-term solutions to reduce flood severity for Carrboro residents. "I'm never going to forget how a soaked house smells or how awful it is to have to help someone throw away their belongings."
One year after the storm, Stan Terrell believes a big change in thinking is needed at all levels. “It is time for a shift in the paradigm where University Lake is considered solely a beneficent entity that provides drinking water and recreation. There is a dark side and risk to living under the shadow of the dam.”
Jodie Weiner, resident of Weatherhill Pointe, reflected on the memory of water rising around her, the rescue, and changes in her life. “I always wondered what I would do if I had a near-death experience – would I really have a new lease on life – appreciation for what I have – not sweat the small stuff – and I did, and I do. I go back to that moment when I said, "if we make it, the rest is just stuff.”
Grateful for the many hands who assisted her during and after the storm, she said, “I hope there is mitigation so University Lake does not overflow again, so we are never faced with such a flashflood again. Then I can continue to live in this house and neighborhood and community that I’ve loved for 33 years.”
See our previous coverage of Tropical Storm Chantal and its aftermath: September is National Preparedness Month!
Repairing the Weatherhill Pointe Neighborhood