On July 6, 2025, Tropical Storm Chantal devastated Orange County. After receiving one-third of its annual rainfall in a single day, floodwaters swept through the towns of Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro. At the center of Hillsborough’s flooding was the Eno River Mill which, despite its 130 years on the banks of the Eno River, had never before flooded. The historic mill is home to the offices of the Orange County Arts Commission and its nonprofit partner, the Orange County Arts Alliance. Featuring a gallery, classroom, and 15 artist studios, the 10,000-square-foot arts space known as the Eno Arts Mill received more than three feet of water.
The outpouring of support was immediate, with volunteers showing up to help and donations quickly flowing in. An Orange County Arts Relief Fund was established through the Arts Alliance, which helps raise additional support for the County-funded Arts Commission. County leadership confirmed that, as a department of Orange County, the resources required to refurnish and resupply the Eno Arts Mill would be provided by the County. As a result, all privately raised dollars could be allocated to artists living or working in Orange County who experienced losses as a result of the storm.
In total, $94,916.05 was distributed to local visual artists, musicians, and creative-economy workers. The Eno Arts Mill Studio Artists—many of whom lost decades of work as well as expensive supplies and equipment—were able to be fully reimbursed for their losses. Funding also supported area creatives who lost housing, cars, or business revenue due to Chantal.
Katie Murray serves as director of the Orange County Arts Commission and executive director of the Orange County Arts Alliance.
“I’ve never been more thankful to be a part of this community than I was during Chantal. It was heartbreaking to see our artists’ work thrown in a dumpster and this special space we’ve created completely ruined. But the resulting outpouring of help made me realize just how much this community cares about the arts—and about us. The love we saw was the balm I needed to get through the disaster, and I’ll never forget how this community showed up for us and for our artists.”
Murray states that donations are still coming in, even six months later. “Together with the board of the Arts Alliance, we are looking at other models from around the country to see how we can use the remaining funding to create a safety net for our arts community. After raising funds to support artists during the pandemic, and now recovering from a flood, we know anything is possible. We want to be ready and prepared for whatever comes our way next.”
