Historic flooding rises in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Flood waters in Charlotte are reaching historic levels as more than four inches of rain fall across Mecklenburg County swelling rivers, creeks and streams.

Little Sugar Creek near Midtown Park has reach a depth of 15.2 feet and climbing. That observation, recorded by instrumentation near Atrium Health’s Carolina Medical Center, indicates the water level has passed the 1997 record set during Hurricane Danny.

“Unless you were here in 1997, you have never seen the Little Sugar Creek flood like this near the medical center,” WCNC Charlotte chief meteorologist Brad Panovich said. “The greenway is almost overflowing.”

At 16 feet, the creek will enter “moderate” flood stage and continue to set a new flood record.

This one spot is one of many areas flooding across Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, where the National Weather Service is continuing a Flash Flood Warning because of Thursday morning’s heavy rainfall.

Along Mallard Creek and David Taylor Drive, the Charlotte Fire Department evacuated 143 people from Corvian Community Elementary School because of flood waters. No injuries were reported.

Stewart Creek at West Morehead Street is quickly approaching a record breaking, major flood stage. At 9:15 a.m., water had climbed just over the 17 feet mark. The record there stands at 18.6 feet and water was still rising.

Cars parked along Briar Creek near Masonic Drive in Plaza Midwood are now submerged in flood waters, which has risen the creek to 11.6 feet according to a measurement near Independence Parkway. 

As it typically does during heavy rains, McMullen Creek has swollen over Addison Drive in the Sherwood Forest neighborhood. The creek level was near 9 feet.

Motorists are reminded to not drive through flood waters.

A camera at that location Thursday morning showed firefighters assisting a driver stranded in flood waters.

“Please stay off the roads until this system gets out of here,” Panovich said. “We have so much flooding on area roadways.”

Elsewhere across the region, more flooding and severe weather impacts.