Two Missing After Canoe Trip Turns Deadly as Tropical Storm Chantal Hits NC
Two guys—probably brothers—are missing after deciding to take a canoe out right as Tropical Storm Chantal decided to wreck North Carolina. Heavy rain, crazy flooding, and just dangerous conditions all around have made the search a nightmare. And honestly? Everyone’s wondering what the heck they were thinking being on the water in that mess.
So What Actually Went Down?
Last anyone saw them, these two were paddling around Lake Lure late Tuesday afternoon. Nice spot usually, but not when a storm’s rolling in. Some folks saw their canoe flip over in the wind and rising water. People called for help right away, but with the storm going full force, rescue teams couldn’t get there fast enough.
Officials haven’t released names yet, but word is they’re brothers from Rutherfordton. Here’s the weird part—no mayday calls, nothing. Just gone.
Chantal Wasn’t Playing Around
Sure, it got downgraded from a hurricane, but don’t let that fool you. This storm dumped insane amounts of rain and whipped up 50+ mph winds across the state. Flooding everywhere, especially near rivers and lakes. Emergency crews have been pulling people out of stuck cars all day, and there’s already been at least one other water-related death.
Lake Lure? It turned into a death trap real quick. “This wasn’t your average rainfall—it was like the sky just opened up,” said one local weather guy. “Seriously, nobody should’ve been out there.”
The Search Is On, But It’s Rough
Wildlife Resources and the National Guard are leading the search, but between the poor visibility and all the junk in the water, it’s slow going. They’ve got dive teams and drones out now, but let’s be real—every hour that passes makes this look worse.
Family’s desperate. “They know their way around boats, but this storm… it came out of nowhere,” one relative said, voice breaking. Locals are helping too, checking the shores and blowing up social media with updates.
This Is Why We Have Weather Warnings
Look, I get it—people think they know better. But here’s the thing: wind can flip a small boat in seconds, and floodwater hides all sorts of nasty surprises. Authorities keep saying it—check the forecast, listen to evacuation orders, especially near water. But do people listen?
“We can’t say it enough: no fishing trip or joyride is worth dying over,” said some Coast Guard guy. And yet, same story every year.
We’ve Seen This Before
Back in 2018 during Hurricane Florence, three fishermen in South Carolina ignored warnings. They didn’t make it. After that, some places tried harsher penalties for dumb moves during storms, but let’s be honest—who’s really enforcing that?
Safety folks say we need better education. “People don’t get how fast things can go south,” one expert told me. “Just because it’s calm when you leave doesn’t mean it’ll stay that way.”
Where to Get Updates
For the latest, check Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office or NOAA’s storm tracker. If you know anything—and I mean anything—call 911 or the local tip line. There’s also a fund set up to help the family with search costs at community centers.
Bottom Line
While they keep searching, the rest of us should take notes. Nature doesn’t care about your plans. When they say storm’s coming, stay the hell off the water. Share this—might make someone think twice before taking stupid risks.
Source: NY Post – US News