WILMINGTON, N.C. (WNCN) -- A key road at the North Carolina coast reopened last week, nearly a year after an unnamed weather system dumped 20 inches of rain in Brunswick and New Hanover counties, washing out many roads, damaging homes, triggering at least 120 rescues, and leaving at least one person dead.

On Sept. 16, 2024, areas of Brunswick and southern New Hanover counties may have had 18 inches of rain within 12 hours, an event expected to occur, on average, once every 1,000 years, the National Weather Service said.

The storm, Potential Tropical Cyclone 8, spurred a tornado near Emerald Isle, flooded and washed out U.S. 17 in Brunswick County and U.S. 74/76 was closed in Columbus County. • Wilmington Fire Dept photo of a dog being rescued in Carolina Beach Monday. • Makatoka Rd i

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