- South Carolina's governor declares State of Emergency as massive wildfire grows to 1,600 acres
- Staying weather alert: How to find your safe place during severe weather
- Wildfires persist across Carolinas amid windy, dry conditions
- York County crews help battle South Carolina wildfires
- Crews battle wildfires in North and South Carolina amid dry conditions and gusty winds
Finding your flood risk, and other ways to prepare for flash flooding concerns
Most of the Charlotte area is under a flood watch through Thursday, with some evacuations from rising water necessary Tuesday afternoon.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. â Parts of the Carolinas are under a flood watch this week, with heavy rains expected and up to 8 inches of rain possible in some parts of western North Carolina.
Tuesday, rising waters along Irish Buffalo Creek in Kannapolis forced evacuations of some homes along Tiffany Drive. City officials said about 30 people had to leave their homes, and many needed rescue by boat.
With more rain expected this week, the flooding threat is expected to remain for multiple days.
Most of the Charlotte area is included in the multi-day flood advisory, with Alexander, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan and Watauga counties under the watch.
National Weather Service (NWS) officials report people tend to underestimate the power of water and should take any flood-related warnings seriously. The agency said flooding is the deadliest thunderstorm-related hazard, with more than half of all flood-related drownings happening when someone attempts to drive through flood waters.
“A mere six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult,” the National Weather Service stated. “It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just two feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks.”
The agency recommends people take several steps before, during and after a flood event to stay safe.
Before the flood
According to the NWS, the primary preparations are to have an emergency plan and a kit. Consider how to best communicate with loved ones and consider where the safest place is to go in an emergency.
An emergency kit should have enough food, water and medicine to last at least three days, plus supplies like batteries, blankets, flashlights, a first-aid kit, rubber boots, and at least one way to get emergency information.
The agency said another key preparation is to know flooding risks for one’s home. In North Carolina, homeowners can search their home’s risk level by typing in their address at flood.nc.gov.
For the latest weather alerts, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications.
The platform shares risk levels and mitigation strategies and also shows water gages near the address.
During the flood
During a flooding event, the NWS suggests people stay informed with access to radio, TV, and other media where emergency information is distributed.
People should evacuate when told and avoid flooding both inside and outside the home, as possible. The agency reminds that rooms where the water rises above electrical outlets could pose an electrocution risk, and flood waters can carry away people and cars and contain toxins, chemicals, or hidden harmful items.
After the flood
After the flood, the agency recommends people stay informed on when it is safe to return, noting a flood-damaged home can be dangerous and unstable. Officials said people should watch for the “all clear” to come back to the area and keep an eye out for boil-water advisories.
Additionally, people should inform loved ones they are safe, and eventually, contact their insurance agent to discuss property damage.