Remnants of Hurricane Michael are closing roads in North Carolina

A small but growing number of roads in Western North Carolina are closed because of flooding and downed trees as the remnants of Hurricane Michael move into the state. And more travel problems are expected.

As of 10:30 a.m., 16 roads had been closed because of the storm, mostly in Polk and Watauga counties, said Tim Little, the chief engineer for the state Department of Transportation.

High water has closed U.S. 176 in both directions south of Saluda in Polk County, according to NCDOT.

Seventy-five roads are also still closed in North Carolina because of Hurricane Florence, most of them in the southeastern part of the state. At one time, flooding and downed trees and power lines blocked more than 2,200 roads after Florence came through.

Those that remain closed were seriously damaged, requiring more lengthy repairs.

This article will be updated.