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Update: Portions of Interstate 85/40 in Alamance County have now re-opened.
A section of Interstate 85/40 in Alamance County is closed due to severe weather from Tropical Storm Chantal. The closure, which began early Monday (July 7), affects a three-mile stretch near Mebane, between Exit 150 for Jimmie Kerr Road and Exit 152 for Trollingwood Hawfields Road, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). The storm brought heavy rain and flooding, particularly affecting the area around Back Creek, a tributary of the Haw River.
The flooding has caused significant traffic congestion on I-85 North and I-40 East. The Haw River reached major flood stage late Sunday night and crested early Monday morning at 32.5 feet, just inches below its record high crest. FOX8 WGHP reports that the flooding is expected to subside by Monday evening as river levels gradually recede.
In addition to road closures, Tropical Storm Chantal has caused widespread damage across central North Carolina. In Chapel Hill, dozens of residents were forced to evacuate their homes due to flooding, with significant damage reported in areas such as Camelot Village and Eastgate Crossing shopping center. WRAL notes that the Haw River's level is the second-highest on record in Chatham and Alamance counties.
The storm also prompted tornado warnings, with confirmed touchdowns causing damage in Lee and Chatham counties. WXII 12 reports that the National Weather Service is investigating potential tornado damage near Mebane. Cleanup efforts are underway, and residents are advised to remain cautious as conditions improve.