When Hurricane Florence struck North Carolina in 2018, 11 people there died from freshwater flooding — all of them in cars.
The storm also caused 2,500 road closures in the state, including parts of Interstates 95 and 40, which were shut down for more than a week because of flooding. The state estimated bridge, culvert and road washouts as well as other transportation infrastructure damage at more than $227 million.
This year, with hurricane season underway, a new advanced warning system will alert North Carolina officials in real time which specific roads and bridges are likely to flood soon, so the state can prepare and warn the public.
