Economic Recovery Center
On Sunday night, July 6, 2025, Tropical Storm Chantal brought flash flooding to Chapel Hill, leaving behind damaged storefronts, nearly 200 flooded vehicles, and up to five feet of water in businesses like those at Eastgate Crossing and University Place. Local business owners and residents are now in cleanup and recovery mode, supported by volunteers, restoration crews, and emergency services.
This webpage is designed to serve as a resource guide for business owners and managers impacted by the July 6 flooding, as well as for community members who want to assist in the recovery efforts.
Fundraising Efforts:
- The Downtown Durham Facebook page has a running list of Chapel Hill businesses affected and several fundraising campaigns. View here.
Flooding Information Quick Links:
For Impacted Business Owners
Town of Chapel Hill Re-Opening Guide
Click here to view the Town of Chapel Hill's Re-Opening Guide which details town processes and contacts for Orange County Health and utility providers.
Local Resources
Do you have a service or resource to offer? Join us in helping our local businesses rebuild stronger. Register for a table at the Innovate Carolina Junction for Flood Relief Resource Day, and let's rebuild together. We're inviting local businesses to offer services, resources, or support to fellow businesses that were severely impacted by recent flooding. Whether you can donate time, tools, materials, or expertise, your help matters.
NOTE: If you are an impacted business, NO NEED to register! This event is for you to come and collect information about resources to help rebuild!
Local Resources
Small Business and Technology Development Center
For small businesses looking for additional guidance, the SBTDC is offering counseling services at no cost. They can offer the following services:
- Term-friendly disaster loans (subject to the appropriate governments declaring specific areas as disaster areas)
- Assistance applying for and receiving grants for disaster relief, as these are made available.
- Succession planning and prep for sale, by owner or by a broker
- Recasting financial projections to reflect cash flow during the recovery period and beyond.
To access these services, schedule a meeting at https://sbtdc.org/locations/chapel-hill
See their Disaster Recovery Guide here.
Orange County Resident Recovery Assistance
For you and your employees, Orange County has opened a Recovery Assistance Center through Saturday, July 12 at the Drakeford Library Complex in Carrboro. It’s a one-stop shop for housing help, insurance guidance, mental health support, and more. Details here: Orange County to Open Recovery Assistance Center
Temporary Spaces
Short-Term or Pop-Up Locations
If you are interested in exploring a pop-up retail location or temporary short-term space to operate your business, please contact: EconDev@townofchapelhill.org
Junction Coworking for Businesses Affected by Storm Chantal
The Junction (powered by Innovate Carolina) in downtown Chapel Hill wants to help local businesses impacted by flooding. They are offering coworking space to any business displaced by the storm. All you need to do is schedule a tour with using this link: Book your tour here (be sure to click “Continue as guest” when booking). Please reach out to Julia Lutz if you have questions - Julia.Lutz@unc.edu
Space at The Chamber
The Chamber is offering complimentary meeting space and co-working space to affected businesses for meetings or remote work. Space is very limited, so please email Hayley Loftus at hloftus@carolinachamber.org to reserve time.
Small Business Disaster Recovery Steps
1. Assess and Document the Damage
As soon as it is safe, inspect and document all damage to your property, equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Take thorough photographs and videos, and write detailed notes about the damage. This documentation is essential when filing insurance claims or applying for disaster assistance. Be as specific and organized as possible to ensure nothing is overlooked.
2. Contact Your Insurance Provider
Once you’ve documented the damage, contact your insurance company to begin the claims process. Provide your documentation and ask for a clear explanation of the next steps. Stay proactive with follow-up communications and confirm that all necessary paperwork has been submitted correctly to avoid delays in receiving compensation.
3. Register with FEMA
FEMA can provide financial and logistical support to affected businesses and individuals. You can register online at www.fema.gov, by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or via TTY at 1-800-462-7285 for those with speech or hearing impairments.
4. Apply for SBA Disaster Assistance
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans to help businesses repair or replace damaged property, equipment, and inventory. These loans can also be used for operating expenses during the recovery period. Learn more and apply at sba.gov/disaster or call 1-800-659-2956. SBA also works with FEMA and local partners to support Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) and Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs).
5. Explore Bridge Loans or Rapid Recovery Loans
Bridge loans can provide short-term financial relief while you wait for insurance claims or long-term assistance to be processed. When local or state lending organizations make these funds available, information will be posted here.
6. Communicate with Suppliers
Reach out to your suppliers as soon as possible to let them know about the disaster. Discuss how it may impact your orders, deliveries, and payment schedules. Suppliers may be able to offer temporary adjustments or flexible terms to help you resume operations more quickly.
7. Contact Lenders and Creditors
Notify your banks and other creditors about the disaster’s impact on your business. Many financial institutions offer disaster relief programs such as loan deferment, payment restructuring, or reduced interest rates to help businesses manage financial strain during recovery.
8. Get Free Help from the NC Small Business Center Network (SBCN)
The North Carolina Small Business Center Network provides free one-on-one counseling, recovery planning assistance, and help navigating loan or grant applications. They can also refer you to other essential resources and offer seminars to support your long-term business recovery. To schedule an appointment, visit www.ncsbc.net.
Employee Protection
- Business interruption insurance may be able to help cover employee wages while you are unable to operate
- If you anticipate being closed for an extended period of time, you may need to lay off your employees so they can qualify for unemployment benefits. Advise your employees to visit the NC Division of Employment Security website to create a MyNCUIBenefits account and file a claim.
- Encourage your employees to visit the Orange County Recovery Assistance Center for additional resources and support
Insurance Claims
Quick Links:
Starting Your Recovery After a Flood | FEMA.gov
Flood Insurance | NC DOI
The National Flood Insurance Program
The Ins and Outs of NFIP Commercial Coverage
Business Commercial Flood Insurance FAQs
What to know about starting a flood insurance claim:
• Start your flood insurance claim as soon as possible after a flood
• An insurance adjuster will come to your property to view your flood damage and create a claim estimate
• It can take 4-8 weeks before a claim is finalized and paid
• If your claim is denied, you can work with your insurance agent or appeal to FEMA
Steps to start and complete a flood insurance claim
It doesn't matter if you've experienced just a few inches of flood water or a few feet. Starting a flood insurance claim quickly gets you the help you need to recover.
Start a claim with your insurance provider
Report the flood and your loss to your insurance provider as soon as possible. They'll partner you with an insurance adjuster who will inspect your property after you file your claim.
Document your flood-damaged property
Take photos and videos of your flood-damaged belongings and property. Write down or take photos of the make, model and serial number for appliances and electronics.
Begin clean-up
Keep samples of flood-damaged items like carpet, flooring and curtains. Then, throw out items that could pose health risks. Do all you can to prevent the growth and spread of mold which NFIP policies do not cover.
Meet with your flood insurance adjuster
When you meet your insurance adjuster, ask to see their Flood Control Number card. Their card will have their picture and be dated for the current storm year. Your adjuster will prepare a damage estimate for your review, so be sure to review it carefully to ensure it's accurate and complete.
Start repairs
You may choose to start repairs before you've received your claim payment, but talk to your agent or adjuster before signing a contract with a cleaning or maintenance contractor.
Receive your flood claim payment
How much money you receive is based on your policy's coverage and the documentation you give your adjuster. It can take four to eight weeks before your claim is finalized and paid. If you have a mortgage, the claim check will be written to you and your mortgage company.
Estes Drive Post Office Updates
If you typically receive your mail from the US Post Office located along South Estes Drive, you may have noticed that they are temporarily closed due to damages incurred from Chantal. All PO boxes will now be receiving mail at the US Post Office in Timberlyne, just a few minutes up the road at 1129 Weaver Dairy Rd Suite T, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. Repairs are expected to last one month.
To get your mail from the Timberlyne Post Office, you will need to bring an ID that associates you with the organization that owns the PO Box (business card, company credit card, etc.) If you need to speak to a supervisor (mail holds, missing mail, etc.) you will need to speak with the Carrboro Post Office at 1500 W Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510.
Please call their office at (800) 275-8777 with any questions.
Cleaning and Restoration
Voda Cleaning & Restoration (919-370-6529)
Servpro of South Durham & Orange County (919-596-1242)
Pure Air (980-946-6150)