By Jordan Meadows
Staff Writer
North Carolina has experienced one of its most extreme years of weather in recent history, beginning with an unseasonably dry winter and spring that sparked a wave of wildfires, and now culminating in record-breaking rainfall, deadly flash floods, and a devastating tropical storm season.
Through late 2024 and early 2025, North Carolina was entrenched in drought. Between October and April, Wilmington recorded a nearly 15-inch rainfall deficit compared to its 30-year average. The dry stretch led to increased wildfire activity across the state, from Wilson County to Swain County, fueled by brittle vegetation and dry air.
Though water demands were low during the cooler months, the agricultural impacts were palpable, particularly in the eastern and central parts of the state. The spring wildfire season scorched thousands of acres, damaging fields and setting the stage for flood vulnerability once the rains returned.
Then came the reversal. In June, North Carolina began to receive regular, heavy rainfall that not only erased the drought but also overwhelmed the landscape. That same month, Greenville recorded its wettest two-day stretch since Hurricane Florence in 2018, with 6.71 inches falling between June 15 and 16. Elizabeth City was also on pace for its wettest June on record.
By July, this shift in weather became a deluge. Over Independence Day weekend, the remnants of Tropical Depression Chantal struck central North Carolina, dropping nearly a foot of rain across parts of the Triangle and causing the Eno River to crest at over 25 feet—shattering a record set during Hurricane Fran in 1996.
The flash flooding killed at least six people, displaced more than 60 in Chapel Hill, and left over 34,000 residents without power. Roads flooded, cars were submerged in downtown Raleigh, and barricades were erected throughout the city.
Chantal’s damage was part of a broader trend of extreme weather across the U.S. this summer. From Texas, where July 4th floods killed more than 130 people, to New York City, where 1-in-1,000-year rainfall events inundated streets and subway tunnels, this season has been defined by relentless and deadly flash flooding. In many places, including North Carolina, this summer's storms dropped more rain in a few days than entire seasons have in years past.
What makes this year particularly concerning is the scientific context. According to a recent Climate Central report, rainfall intensity in Raleigh has increased by 22% since 1970, outpacing the national average. The same study found that hourly rainfall rates have grown heavier in nearly 90% of major U.S. cities.
This year’s storms were particularly destructive because they came after months of drought. Dry, compacted soil is less able to absorb sudden rainfall, leading to higher runoff and more flooding. Adding to the danger is the fact that many residents live outside of FEMA’s designated floodplains, which are based on outdated data from the 1970s and don’t account for smaller streams and creeks that are now frequently overflowing due to more intense rainfall. In fact, 43% of repeatedly flooded buildings in North Carolina lie outside official flood zones.
The effects on agriculture have been severe. Moldy hay poses a serious health risk to animals, forcing farmers to purchase costly feed alternatives to keep their operations running. May brought record storms and disruptions, with many strawberry growers having to discard entire harvests due to rot, and tomato planting was delayed across the state. The combined effects of drought, followed by flooding, have created a season of unpredictability that has tested the resilience of even the most experienced farmers.
This isn’t the first year North Carolina has faced flooding due to tropical weather. In 2024, Hurricane Helene brought torrential rain to western North Carolina and set new rainfall records in the Triangle. Later that year, Carolina Beach experienced a shocking 1-in-1,000-year storm that dumped 20 inches of rain in 12 hours.
The summer of 2025 has been dominated by persistent atmospheric patterns—called “atmospheric resonance”—which trap weather systems in place, allowing storms to hover over areas for days instead of hours. These patterns have tripled in frequency since the mid-20th century, particularly during the summer months.
As North Carolina continues to experience more volatile weather, the need for adaptation is becoming clear. Experts at the World Economic Forum recommend resilient water management systems, improved food storage solutions, and updated infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of both flooding and drought. On the local level, authorities are urging residents to reassess their flood risk, even if they live outside of official zones, and to invest in preparedness tools like flood insurance, emergency kits, and weather alerts.
With August and September typically being the peak of flash flood season in central North Carolina, the state may not be out of the woods yet. Meteorologists are forecasting a warmer and wetter-than-average continuation of summer, as ocean temperatures remain at record highs. While the drought has ended, the extreme pendulum swing between dry and wet conditions is a clear signal of a changing climate.
