- A slow-moving weather system keeps the threat alive
- Cape Fear River exceeds flood stage, again
- Haw River flooding spreads through Alamance and Chatham counties
- Lumber River continues to rise near Lumberton
- Warnings from the ground: heed the risks, especially at night
- More rain could change the outlook again
Thursday, July 11, 2025 – 8:15 a.m. EDT (New York) – Flooding continues to grip parts of North Carolina, where multiple rivers remain dangerously swollen, and one in particular — the Cape Fear River — surged to 45.5 feet (13.87 meters) early Thursday morning. Days of relentless rain across the East Coast have left communities across the state bracing for more water and more uncertainty.
A slow-moving weather system keeps the threat alive
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued widespread flood warnings across North Carolina, part of a broader pattern of unsettled weather that’s been hammering the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast since the start of the week.
Heavy rains linked to Tropical Depression Chantal have drenched much of the region, and with slow-moving thunderstorms still in the forecast, meteorologists warn that rivers may remain high — or even rise again — through the weekend.
“Right now, it’s the perfect setup for prolonged flooding,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski. “The rain just keeps coming.”
Cape Fear River exceeds flood stage, again
Flood alerts remain in effect for several major rivers, but the Cape Fear River is once again in the spotlight. At the William O’Huske Lock and Dam 3, just south of Fayetteville, the river reached 45.5 feet (13.87 meters) early Thursday — well above the official flood stage of 42 feet (12.80 meters).
At this level, floodwaters begin spilling across the eastern banks, and minor overflows are seen on the western side. The NWS expects a temporary dip to 42 feet by Friday night, but forecasters are already tracking a secondary crest at 43.5 feet (13.26 meters) expected Saturday afternoon.
Cumberland and Bladen counties are expected to be most affected as waters rise and fall in the coming days.
Haw River flooding spreads through Alamance and Chatham counties
To the north, the Haw River has also climbed beyond safe levels. In Alamance County, gauges recorded 21.5 feet (6.55 meters) at 8:45 a.m. EDT Thursday, surpassing the flood threshold of 18 feet (5.49 meters). As water spilled over into Lang Street and areas near Red Slide Park, concerns grew about ongoing erosion and accessibility issues.
Farther south in Chatham County, the Haw River near Bynum reached 10.8 feet (3.29 meters) around 9:16 a.m. EDT, just shy of the 11-foot flood stage (3.35 meters). A crest of 11.6 feet (3.54 meters) is forecast for Thursday evening. At those levels, floodwaters are expected to spread as far as 400 feet (122 meters) from the riverbank, submerging pastures and wooded areas.
Lumber River continues to rise near Lumberton
In southeastern North Carolina, the Lumber River is also rising rapidly. As of 9:50 a.m. EDT, it had reached 15.8 feet (4.82 meters) — well above the minor flood stage of 13 feet (3.96 meters) — and was forecast to crest at 16.4 feet (5.00 meters) Friday morning, which qualifies as moderate flooding.
Communities near Lumberton, especially Coxs Pond and Pines, are already dealing with inundated roads and growing concerns for businesses close to the riverbank.
Warnings from the ground: heed the risks, especially at night
In an advisory issued Thursday, NWS Wilmington emphasized how difficult it can be to recognize flooding dangers in the dark: “Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas.”
NWS Raleigh also warned that more storms are expected Friday, though with less coverage than earlier in the week. Still, isolated flash floods, particularly in urban centers or places that have already seen heavy rainfall, remain possible. A few storms could turn severe, with damaging wind gusts the main concern.
More rain could change the outlook again
Forecasters say that river levels will likely begin to recede if the rain finally eases. But the situation remains precarious. Even as floodwaters retreat, banks remain unstable, and low-lying areas stay vulnerable. Any additional rainfall — even brief downpours — could trigger a new round of surges.
