Durham’s Drowning: State of Emergency Declared as City Faces Historic Flooding. Durham, North Carolina is underwater—literally. Following relentless rainfall from Tropical Depression Chantal, the city has declared a state of emergency as streets, homes, and vehicles are swallowed by rising floodwaters. Downtown has transformed into a river.
Videos show cars submerged, residents stranded on rooftops, and entire neighborhoods vanishing under water. This is not a normal flood—it’s a full-blown crisis. Over 80 water rescues have taken place in Durham, with more in nearby Chapel Hill. Power outages are widespread, and storm drains have failed across multiple neighborhoods.
The Eno River reached a record-breaking 25.63 feet, flooding entire districts. Tragically, one woman lost her life in Chatham County, and two others remain missing on Jordan Lake.
Many residents are asking: Where is FEMA? While North Carolina officials are coordinating emergency response, national assistance has been slow and media coverage limited. Online, hashtags like #DurhamFlood and #WhereIsFEMA are drawing attention to the silence.
Shelters are opening, but resources are stretched. With roads impassable and rain still falling, authorities urge everyone to shelter in place and conserve what they can.
Durham is hurting—and it’s time the nation paid attention.
