Watch: Carolina Beach flooded as North Carolina gets hammered by Potential Tropical Cyclone 8
Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight is bringing both flooding and strong winds to parts of North Carolina.
Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 lashes Carolina coast with heavy rain, wind
Powerful winds and heavy rainfall are sweeping across parts of southeastern North Carolina on Monday as Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight nears landfall and could soon become Tropical Storm Helene.
Tropical storm-force winds and heavy rainfall continue across the Carolina coast as Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight moved onshore Monday.
Conditions in Carolina Beach worsened throughout the morning, as water rose and trapped vehicles in flooded streets. Strong winds with gusts nearing 45 mph blew trees and rain, reducing visibility. Flooding continues to be a problem throughout the afternoon.
Watch: Car towed from flooded road in Carolina Beach
A sedan is pulled from flooded roads in Carolina Beach as Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 moves toward the Carolinas Monday.
"Folks, do not go out," said Carolina Beach Mayor Lynn Barbee after issuing a state of emergency for the coastal town.
Barbee noted that the small town's fire department was overwhelmed by a deluge of rescue calls following the city's inundation with over 10 inches of rain within just four hours. Residents reported being trapped in their homes and businesses as high-clearance vehicles were deployed to reach the hardest-hit areas.
New Hanover County Fire Rescue said Monday evening its rescue team was still out in full force. "So far, they have rescued over a dozen residents and even a few furry friends," the fire rescue said in a Facebook post.
Watch: Heavy rain inundates Carolina Beach, NC as mayor declares state of emergency
Heavy rainfall has inundated Carolina Beach, North Carolina, prompting the mayor to declare a state of emergency. The city received over 10 inches of rain in just four hours, leading to widespread flooding. Emergency services are overwhelmed with rescue calls as residents and businesses are trapped. High-clearance vehicles have been deployed to reach the most affected areas. Even storm water crews have been impacted, requiring rescue from the dangerous conditions.
Videos show cars driving through high floodwaters and tow trucks saving vehicles stalled in flooded streets.
A Flash Flood Warning was issued for Carolina Beach until 8:45 p.m. ET.
Car drives through high floodwaters in Carolina Beach, North Carolina
A car in Carolina Beach drives through a flooded street as Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 worsens conditions near the coast.
As flooding continues to inundate the town, a surprising discovery was caught on camera by FOX Weather's Brandy Campbell. In the video, fish can be seen swimming through the Carolina Beach floodwaters. "Wow! This is crazy!" Campbell says in the video.
'Wow!' Fish caught swimming in North Carolina floodwaters
In a surprising disovery, FOX Weather's Brandy Campbell sees fish swimming in the floods in Carolina Beach. "This is crazy!" she says in the video.
To the north, in Wrightsville Beach, conditions were similar with rough surf lashing the beach and large, dangerous waves forming. The wind has been whipping the shoreline, blowing sand and ocean water all around.
Watch: Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 batters Wrightsville Beach
PTC 8 is bringing rough and high surf and tropical storm-force winds to Wrightsville Beach.
More sights from Wrightsville Beach showed lightning along the coast and booming thunder in the distance. Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight is expected to dump several inches of rain on southeast North Carolina throughout the day.
Lightning flashes in Wrightsville Beach as Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 nears coast
As conditions worsen across the Carolinas, lightning flashes and large waves can be seen in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.