Chapel Hill Man Dies After Surviving Flood, First Night in New Home

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — A 72-year-old Chapel Hill man who survived the devastating Camelot Village flood earlier this summer died last week, just one day after moving into a new apartment.

Dale Weldele, a retired roofing contractor and lifelong surfer originally from San Diego, was among dozens displaced when flooding swamped Camelot Village in July. After weeks of staying in a Durham hotel, Weldele finally received housing at the Carolina Spring Senior Apartments in Carrboro. But after spending his first night there, he suffered a fatal heart attack.

Survivor of Repeated Setbacks

Weldele had endured several hardships in recent years. He lost his wife Isabel in 2024, underwent a leg amputation after repeated knee surgeries, and narrowly escaped the July flood when rushing waters swept away his prosthetic leg.

At an Aug. 20 press conference, Weldele spoke about his frustration with the repeated flooding at Camelot Village and warned that inaction could cost lives.

“I’m on one leg with crutches, trying to make it to the stairs. By the grace of God, I made it there, lost everything. There was four feet of water in the apartment,” he told reporters.

Final Hours

Friends said Weldele began experiencing racing heartbeats the morning after his first night in his new home. He arranged care for his dog before going to UNC Hospitals, where he was stabilized but later died of a heart attack.

“What a crappy last seven weeks to get handed, really, but he was positive the whole time,” said Devin Gilgor, an organizer with Triangle Mutual Aid. “He brought a lot of compassion to the other residents. He was sort of always positive — a let’s look on the bright side kind of guy.”

Remembered as a Surfer and Teacher

Weldele was known for his adventurous spirit, surfing some of the world’s largest waves and teaching Sunday school at his church after converting to Mormonism at age 70.

His son Brian Weldele recalled his father’s passion for travel and nature. “We traveled quite a bit, and he would always try to find out the biggest, best-shaped waves that he could. I watched him one time surf — man, it must have been close to 20-foot surf — in Todos Santos, Mexico. It was pretty incredible to watch.”

Pastor Clain Anderson said Weldele was a dedicated church member. “He really cared about his family, and he was a real contributor in terms of our local church congregation. He felt very happy being able to teach the youth and help them that way.”

Community in Mourning

Neighbors from Camelot Village, still displaced by the flood, said news of Weldele’s death was another emotional blow.

“It’s tough on days like this when you get the news,” said Heather Gibbs, who lived near Weldele.

Weldele is survived by a daughter, grandchildren, siblings, and his dog, now cared for by family. His relatives asked that his belongings, including furniture and food, be given to other flood survivors.

Should North Carolina take stronger action to protect vulnerable housing communities like Camelot Village from repeated flooding? Share your thoughts at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.