In a dramatic turn of events, Carolina Beach in North Carolina has been hit by torrential rainfall, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency by the mayor. The situation worsened as the city received an astonishing 18 inches of rain since midnight. With the relentless downpour causing widespread flooding, residents and businesses find themselves trapped, prompting overwhelmed emergency services to be inundated with rescue calls.

Videos surfacing from Carolina Beach depict the catastrophic situation as cars are towed away from submerged streets and vehicles navigate through highly flooded areas. Authorities are urging residents to exercise caution and avoid driving through flooded roads, emphasizing the dangers presented by the treacherous conditions.

Carolina Beach Mayor, Lynn Barbee, took to Facebook to address the dire circumstances. In a post, Mayor Barbee highlighted the distress calls flooding the fire department from residents stranded in flooded homes and businesses. Moreover, stormwater crews have had to be rescued from the rising floodwaters, underscoring the severity of the situation.

"Folks, do not go out," Mayor Barbee's Facebook post reads. "Dow is barely passable. Hennikers ditch is full. EOC is getting to folks as fast as they can. There are two dozen of the most talented professionals working hard for you."

As the day progressed, Carolina Beach Town Hall became a refuge for those seeking shelter from the ongoing crisis. High-clearance vehicles continued to brave the floodwaters, rescuing individuals stranded by the flooding.

While reports indicated that Carolina Beach Elementary School had succumbed to the rising waters, FOX Weather Storm Specialist Mike Seidel, reporting on-location, disputed this claim. Nevertheless, New Hanover County Schools assured the safe transportation of all students from Carolina Beach Elementary to their homes. In a statement, they explained that some students had been temporarily marooned in the school due to inaccessible roads but were eventually retrieved by high-water vehicles, courtesy of the sheriff's office.

As a cautionary measure, all other schools in the area were dismissed two hours early due to the pervasive flooding and adverse weather conditions.

Amidst the chaos, Carolina Beach Town Hall and the Recreation Center have been forced to close their doors for the time being. However, town officials have reassured residents that the buildings are set to reopen on Tuesday, offering light at the end of the tunnel.

With the town of Carolina Beach battling against the elements, its residents remain steadfast, relying on the tireless efforts of emergency services and the solidarity of their community. As the heavy rainfall persists, the hope remains that the floodwaters recede, bringing relief and recovery to this beleaguered coastal town.