Tropical Storm Chantal Leaves 8 Dead, Causes Up to $6 Billion in Damages Across North Carolina

Tropical Storm Chantal unleashed catastrophic flooding across central North Carolina in early July 2025, resulting in at least eight fatalities and an estimated $4 billion to $6 billion in damages. The storm, which made landfall in South Carolina on July 6 before moving inland, deluged areas like Raleigh-Durham with nearly a foot of rain within 24 hours, leading to widespread devastation. Emergency services conducted dozens of water rescues as communities grappled with submerged homes and impassable roads.

The human toll includes confirmed deaths in multiple counties. In Chatham County, three individuals died, including 83-year-old Sandra Portnoy Hirschman, whose car was swept away, and two boaters on Jordan Lake. Orange County reported the death of 58-year-old Monica Butner, found tragically far from her vehicle after it became stranded. Additionally, two people in Alamance County, 23-year-old Hajar Hassib and 71-year-old James Michael Parcell, were found dead after being reported missing in floodwaters.

The economic impact is substantial, with AccuWeather's preliminary estimates placing total damages and economic loss between $4 billion and $6 billion across the Carolinas. This figure accounts for damage to homes and businesses, lost tourism revenue, infrastructure failures, and supply chain disruptions. Over 100 roads were closed due to flooding, and a section of State Highway 902 collapsed in Chatham County. The city of Mebane also faced severe water treatment plant damage, leading to strict water usage restrictions.

The personal stories of those affected underscore the storm's unpredictable ferocity. As The New Yorker highlighted in a tweet, > "There are some disasters that even the most equipped people can’t possibly prepare for. Jessica Pishko reports on one mother’s experience during the recent flooding in North Carolina caused by Tropical Storm Chantal." Chelsea Scott, a mother in Burlington, North Carolina, whose family home was destroyed, echoed this sentiment, stating that water inside their residence reached over five feet deep.

Recovery efforts are underway, complicated by rising temperatures and the sheer scale of the destruction. Officials continue to urge caution as communities begin the arduous process of rebuilding. The widespread nature of Chantal's impact serves as a stark reminder of the increasing challenges posed by severe weather events.