****UPDATE: A Tornado Watch was issued for Orange County until 9 p.m. Thursday. A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for Orange County until 6:30 p.m. Thursday.****

Chapel Hill crews have been taking steps to prepare for the remnants of Hurricane Michael that are forecast to bring heavy winds and rain to central North Carolina Thursday.

Community safety spokesperson for the town Ran Northam said on Wednesday afternoon that the town was working through “normal operations” to prepare for the storm, “fueling up chainsaws, fueling up generators, making sure we have enough fuel for vehicles.”

Northam added the town would be monitoring flood-prone areas, including Booker and Bolin creeks. Many of those areas saw significant flooding damage from Hurricane Florence last month. Northam said the preparation for Florence had the town “ahead of the game” in terms of clearing debris that could slow drainage.

Some of the weaker trees also came down during Florence, Northam said. He added that town crews removed limbs from at least one tree on Boundary Street because “it looked dangerous.”

Northam said a concern for the town was that residents “might underestimate” the intensity of Michael as it passes through Orange County. During heavy winds and rain like Michael is expected to bring, “bad things can happen,” he said.

The town will establish some emergency operations on Thursday, according to Northam, but he said it would determine how far to elevate those efforts – to establishing a call center or shelters – once more is known on the severity of the storm and the community need.

Photo via Blake Hodge

Related Stories
‹
James Taylor Partners with Food Bank to Help Hurricane Victims
An icon in Chapel Hill and North Carolina is joining the relief efforts for residents of the Tar Heel State directly impacted by recent hurricanes. James Taylor said in a video posted to his Facebook page that he was coming to viewers “with Carolina in my mind and with a simple request for you wherever […]
Thousands Without Power in Orange County
More than 20,000 Orange County customers are without power on Friday due to damage from the remnants of Hurricane Michael. Duke Energy is reporting more than 10,000 customers are without power in Orange County as of 12:45 p.m. Friday. Piedmont Electric is reporting nearly 12,000 Orange County customers without power. There have been numerous reports […]
The Evening News - Board of Trustees, New School Board Member, Football Investigation
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the evening news. Included in this edition of the news, we hear a breakdown of the contents of the Board of Trustees meeting. We get more details on the newest member of the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Board of Education. In sports, we hear from Athletic Director Steve Newmark on the recently concluded investigation into the football program, and more.
The Morning News: New CHCCS Board Member, Newmark on UNC Football Probe
In today's news: the CHCCS board appoints a new member, and UNC athletic director Steve Newmark addresses the recent football investigation.
Chapel Hill: Library Patron Fee, $10 Million Parks Gift, LUMO Update
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, September 24, discussing town news and events. She recapped the recent meeting of the Chapel Hill Town Council, which included a unanimous vote to institute a $65 library card fee for residents outside of Chapel Hill. She also recapped work and timeline for the Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) rewrite, and more. She shared details of a $10 million gift to the town for parks and recreation, and more.
Chapel Hill Receives $10 Million Gift for Park and Greenway Development Projects
The funds were given to the town by the Bill & Peggy Britt Foundation Inc., which supports education, philanthropy, voluntarism and more.
The Morning News: Chatham Vs. Enbridge, 53 CHCCS Applications, UNC Falling
In today's news: Chatham County Commissioners take a stand against the proposed Enbridge natural gas pipeline.
The Evening News: School Redistricting, New Elementary School in Mebane, Vehicle Break-Ins
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the evening news. Included in this edition of the news, we hear on Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools plans for elementary school redistricting. We also hear of plans for a new elementary school in Mebane, more on a slew of vehicle break-ins in Chapel Hill, and more.
The Morning News: Vehicle Break-Ins, CHCCS Redistricting
In today's news: Chapel Hill officials warn about a recent string of vehicle break-ins, and CHCCS moves ahead on elementary redistricting.
Local Government Meetings: September 21-25, 2026
This week in local government: Chapel Hill weighs library card fees for out-of-towners, while the CHCCS board appoints a new member.
›