Flood warning issued for Mountain Island Lake; neighbors prepare for worst

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for Mountain Island Lake until Monday afternoon.

The warning affects northeastern Gaston County and northwestern Mecklenburg County. Duke Energy projects the lake will crest above 106 feet.

The National Weather Service said high flow was causing significant rises — possibly to levels not seen since May 2013 when the lake crested at 104 feet.

“At 105 feet, significant flooding of lake access areas and docks will be ongoing and the Nivens Cove Community and Fox Ridge Lane in the Stonewater Bay Community in Gaston County may be impacted as well,” added the Gaston County Office of Emergency Management.

Residents along the Catawba River were warned to use caution in low-lying and flood-prone areas and be on alert for rising waters. Boaters, including those using kayaks and canoes, were asked to stay out of the water due to the current.

NBC Charlotte spoke with some neighbors who said the fire chief had already come by to warn them about the possibility of flooding.

“We’ll keep checking Duke Energy levels; we keep looking at that. I mean, we just gotta get prepared then we sit and wait until it does what it’s gonna do,” a woman said.

Heavy rainfall remains in the forecast through Wednesday.

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