Third Straight Day of Rain Causing Flooding Issues in Orange County

Traffic issues and downed trees are being reported Tuesday morning after heavy rain fell through the majority of the overnight hours following nearly two full days of continuous rain.

Chapel Hill Emergency officials reported a downed tree on East Franklin Street near Roosevelt Drive, which was blocking some travel lanes. Flooding was also reported to be impacting roadways on South Estes Drive and Cleland Drive. Chapel Hill Fire crews carried out a water rescue on Cleland Drive.

Orange County Emergency Services also reported issues Tuesday morning with an overturned vehicle on I-85 Southbound near exit 169. A bridge on Pearson Road in Hurdle Mills also was reportedly covered by water.

The downed trees and flooded roads are also causing Chapel Hill Transit to detour several routes, including the CL, D, DX, F and HU.

Durham Public Schools also tweeted Tuesday morning that some buses may be late due to closed roadways.

Officials are advising that it is never safe to drive through flooded roadways.

Orange County has closed River Park until further notice due to flooding. Officials say the parking lot behind the Board of Elections office has also been closed because of rising flood waters.

Hillsborough has announced that the Riverwalk and Gold Park are “underwater” amid the continuing rain and rising waters from the Eno River and are closed, along with Kings Highway Park.

Rain is expected to continue throughout most of the morning and possibly into the afternoon on Tuesday.

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