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State of Emergency in Catawba County as storms cause flash flooding, water rescues and power outages
A line of heavy showers caused flash flooding in western North Carolina, including multiple swift water rescues and power outages in the foothills.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Officials in Catawba County issued a State of Emergency Thursday as a line of strong storms brought heavy rain, causing flash flooding, power outages and multiple swift water rescues to the Carolinas.
A Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 9 a.m. Thursday in Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg and Rowan counties. A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect until 7 p.m. for most of the WCNC Charlotte viewing area as heavy rains are expected to last throughout the morning hours.
The Conover Fire Department tweeted they were responding to a water rescue at the Hiddenite Family Campground, where a group of 15 to 20 campers were trapped.
In Catawba County, officials declared a State of Emergency due to extensive flooding, power outages and road closures. The hazardous conditions were widespread in the foothills, where schools were put on a delay or switched to remote learning. Duke Energy estimated nearly 2,500 people were without power in Catawba County due to the storms. Nearly 400 people lost electricity in Alexander County.
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Heavy flooding was also reported in Burke County. Flooding made several roads impassable. In Bethel Park, water covered the ground and began rising in areas. School officials moved students to a remote learning day due to flooding concerns.
In Iredell County, fire crews responded to a washed out bridge on Cattlemans Road. Fire officials said a vehicle got trapped on the bridge. Everyone got out OK, but the vehicle was trapped in flood waters.
In Cornelius, the police department had to close Bailey Road between Poole Place Drive and Delmas Drive due to flooding.
Early Thursday morning WCNC Charlotte Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich said the area had already broken a rainfall record for the day with more than two inches of rain in Charlotte.