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Good morning neighbors,
Welcome to the first edition of The Alamance Fabric, presented by NC Local. I’m your community editor Laura Brache, and I’m excited to share this new adventure with you!
Winter Storm Fern brought freezing temps and wet conditions to the Southeast, and Alamance saw its share of snow. Thankfully, we avoided extensive power outages that plagued other regions. Still, icy conditions are creating road hazards here, prompting ABSS schools to hold remote learning days yesterday and today.
Our county is no stranger to the damaging power of storms. Alamance residents have focused on recovery and rebuilding in the nearly seven months since Tropical Storm Chantal brought record-breaking flooding here and to neighboring Orange and Chatham counties.
We’ve dedicated this issue to exploring the state of rebuilding: From beloved small businesses, their owners and a missional church in Saxapahaw still navigating reopening, to the county officials working on infrastructure resilient enough for the next “1,000-year” storm.
Beyond the recovery, we are also looking ahead at the issues already shaping our year. From your survey responses and the Facebook groups, it’s clear a few topics are on your mind:
These are just a few of the important community stories, but "The Fabric" is also about the personal ones. Your stories. When we gathered for our community kickoff in November, you told us you wanted a news source that helps you navigate these issues and changes – addressing everything from affordable housing to how we build a stronger sense of belonging.
For us, the name is a promise: We are here to actively weave together the unique stories, issues, and voices of our community – from Mebane to Gibsonville – to create a complete, clear picture of life in Alamance.
I live and work here, and my "virtual open-door policy" is always in effect. If you have a question, a news tip, or just want to grab a quick coffee (online or in-person) to share what’s on your mind, please hit reply and let me know.
I’m so glad you’re here.
Warmly, |
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Downed trees and debris on the north end of Saxapahaw Island Park as seen from Buddy Collins bridge in Saxapahaw, N.C. on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Photo: Laura Brache/NC Local) |
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Hundreds of Lego pieces spread across the floor of the Post family’s basement in their Burlington home. Colton, the youngest of three siblings, diligently constructed a distinctive, colorful city that spans half of the room. Cars on gray Lego streets dissected by buildings, houses and train tracks.
This Lego city was a latest iteration of the 11-year-old’s creation. His last city washed away – pieces scattered across the property – when flood waters from Tropical Storm Chantal rushed below the Posts’ home in July of last year.
“He enjoyed sometimes pretending like they would get destroyed by a flood,” April Post said. “In this case, a flood actually did end up destroying all of his Legos.”
The Posts’ home, though on a slight hill, stands adjacent to Service Creek, a tributary of the Haw River. Their backyard completely flooded, and approximately three feet of water entered the basement, destroying the playroom and their eldest daughter's bedroom. Along with Colton’s Legos, furniture, clothes and boxes full of family photos and memories floated in the murky water.
“You could not believe the damage that happened,” Post shared.
The Posts’ home was one of dozens damaged in Alamance County by the storm that redefined the region’s flood risk. Chantal flooding caused an estimated $4 to $6 billion in total damage and economic loss across the Carolinas. In North Carolina alone, initial damage estimates to public infrastructure exceeded $42 million.
The Haw River crested at near-record levels, according to the North Carolina State Climate Office and local officials. Peaking at 32.5 feet, it was just 4 inches shy of the all-time record set by Hurricane Fran in 1996. Buddy Collins Memorial Bridge, the main bridge in Saxapahaw, was completely submerged, isolating the village and rerouting traffic for days.
Torrential rain drenched the region, pouring buckets on roadways. The Burlington airport recorded 5.75 inches of rain in a single day, its highest total since recordkeeping began at the site in 2001.
The storm’s destruction extended beyond power outages and damage to buildings and homes, claiming lives. State officials confirmed six storm-related deaths.
Two of the deceased were in Alamance County: 71-year-old James Michael Parcell of Haw River was found dead inside a submerged vehicle in Mebane. 23-year-old Hajar Hassib was found dead after her car was swept into a pond in Graham.
The rapidly rising waters and severe destruction left many needing to take action just as quickly before the irreparable damage set in.
“If we had had to wait even a couple of days, the loss would have been devastating,” Post said. “Mold grows so quickly.”
Coming soon: A landing page for The Fabric! In the meantime, you'll be redirected to nclocal.org.
Read the full story... |
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The Alamance Fabric and NC Local are powered by readers like you. |
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What's shaping Alamance |
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A lot can happen in a week. To help you stay on top of the conversations driving our county forward, we’ll regularly round up key local headlines from our partners and other local news outlets that are defining life in Alamance right now. |
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While our focus is right here at home, what happens in Raleigh often ripples into Alamance County. Here is the latest statewide reporting from the NC Local team on the big-picture issues, from healthcare to elections, that impact us all. |
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The fabric of Alamance County isn’t only woven in its landmarks, but in the people who live, work, and create here. In this segment, we’ll spotlight one of the neighbors shaping our community's future —brought to you in partnership with The Power + Place Collaborative, a community-based oral history and storytelling initiative from Elon University's Center for Design Thinking. Below is an excerpt of the first profile. Click the video for more. |
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Johnette Jeffries-Lopez |
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“Tell people who you are, tell people who your people are.” |
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"Johnette Jeffries-Lopez’s roots run deep through Alamance County. Her family taught her from a young age to remain confident in her identity regardless of what others told her. Yet her father grew up in a time when indigenous identity was concealed rather than celebrated. Because of this, it wasn’t until adulthood that Johnette was truly able to immerse herself in the Occaneechi Saponi culture and rediscover her identity alongside her husband who had grown up surrounded by a similar community in Montana.
Johnette looks back on her first pow-wow as a life changing experience and remembers every detail that welcomed her into the community she loves today. Nevertheless, Johnette still witnesses some of the discrimination her father faced, recalling when her son wrote a paper on the genocide of Native-Americans, and was told outright by his teacher that had never happened. Johnette later went to the school to advocate for her son, believing that no one should be made to feel small in the classroom.
Her message to others is the same as to her son: 'It’s okay to tell people who you are. Her story leaves an echo of confidence and resilience that is especially important to uphold in Alamance County. 'The dirt out there is the blood and bones of my people,' Johnette expresses as she urges fellow community members to settle in, and know that no matter what they are told, they belong here."
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Whether you’re searching for family-friendly fun, ways to support local creators or become more civically involved, here are a few ideas on Visit Alamance’s Upcoming Events calendar, plus some other events around the area. |
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Sew Colonial: The Art of 18th Century Stitching
Thu, Jan 29 at 2:30 p.m.
Patterson Auditorium
1247 Jimmie Kerr Road, Graham, NC 27253
Free
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ABSS Community Voice Session (School Rezoning & Student Assignments)
Wed, Jan 28 at 6:00 p.m.
Southeast Alamance High School
3400 South Hwy. 119, Haw River, NC 27258
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Get Hiking at Guilford Mackintosh Park & Marina
Sat, Jan 31 at 10:00 a.m.
Guilford Mackintosh Park & Marina,
1345 NC-61, Whitsett, NC 27377
Free; registration required
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Open House at The Bridge Wellness Center
Sat, Jan 31 at 12:00 p.m.
1735-H Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Rd, Graham, NC 27253
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Alamance County Board of Commissioners Work Session
Mon, Feb 2 at 9:30 a.m.
County Office Building - Commissioners Meeting Room
124 W. Elm Street, Graham, NC 27253
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Mebane City Council
Mon, Feb 2 at 6:00 p.m.
Mebane City Hall - Council Chambers
106 E. Washington Street, Mebane, NC 27302
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Gibsonville Town Council
Mon, Feb 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Gibsonville Town Hall
129 W. Main Street, Gibsonville, NC 27249
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Haw River Town Council Meeting
Mon, Feb 2 at 7:00 p.m.
Haw River Town Building
403 E Main Street, Haw River, NC 27258
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Burlington City Council
Tues, Feb 3 at 7:00 p.m.
Burlington Municipal Building - City Council Chamber
425 S. Lexington Avenue, Burlington, NC 27215
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