Flash Flood Watch

Less than one year ago, heavy rains flooded Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Are we in for another round this week?

National Weather Service senior forecaster Scott Sharp says the possibility for flooding is certainly out there.

“The showers and storms today will just prime the pump for additional showers and thunderstorm activity we’re expecting later (Tuesday) and more so during the day on Wednesday and Wednesday night,” Sharp says. “We’re looking at rainfall totals during the course of the day today and early this evening probably anywhere from a quarter to maybe a half an inch across the Triangle. The highest potential for heavy rainfall will be late (Tuesday) through Wednesday into Wednesday evening as we pick up an additional inch to maybe two inches of rainfall during that time period.”

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More than seven inches of rain fell on Chapel Hill-Carrboro on and around June 30. Bolin Creek overflowed flooding East Gate shopping center, Camelot Village apartments, Chapel Hill Town Hall, Granville Towers and many other places.

A flash flood watch is in effect from Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. until Thursday at 6:00 a.m.

“We are expecting the weather conditions to start to improve by Thursday–maybe after lunchtime or so,” Sharp says. “It looks like right now Friday into Saturday it looks like we should see much better, more tranquil weather conditions during that time.”

Remember: a watch means flooding is possible; a warning means flooding is happening or imminent.

Eastgate Ready For Business, Concern Remains

CHAPEL HILL -After flooding from nearly seven inches of rain in a 24-hour period left damaged homes and businesses, at least one business owner at Eastgate Shopping Center says she’s concerned you’ll be less likely to shop there.

“Our customers are concerned about ongoing problems in the Eastgate area that might lead to more flooding,” says Keilayn Skutvik, Store Manager of Ten Thousand Villages. “I tend to think that the level of rain that we had during that week made it almost impossible to accommodate it. I don’t feel like this particular area is prone to more flooding, unless it’s extraordinary circumstances like that. I hope that people feel like it’s a safe place to shop.”

One month after the flooding, all the businesses in Eastgate Shopping Center, off of Franklin Street, are finally open and ready for customers.

Skutvik says the shop was closed for two weeks, but luckily did not lose many products.

“The entire store’s flooring had to be replaced, which resulted in about $10,000 in loss of sales,” says Skutvik.

Skutvik estimated that Ten Thousand Villages ultimately lost nearly $25,000 in sales during the closure.

Doncaster Outlet faced some repairs as well, but Store Manager Cathy Steed says she’s unsure of the total costs.

“We had to pull up the floors, the base boards, some of the sheet rock, and then we had to have the dehumidifiers and fans to dry everything out,” says Steed. “We had the floor put back in. We put carpet, baseboards back in.”

Assistant Manager at Massage Envy, Gabrielle Harris says repairs included replacing carpets, some walls, and furniture, along with painting.

After closing for exactly three weeks, Harris says Massage Envy is now trying to attract customers with offers including aromatherapies and sugar foot scrubs.

She says Massage Envy is still undergoing renovations, with two more massage therapy rooms that need carpeting.

“We’re just happy,” Harris says. “The therapists are happy to be back at work. I’m happy to be back at work, and the clients are definitely happy. We’re still doing a few renovations, but we’ll be back to 100 percent in no time.”

Courtesy Takes a Holiday