- Weather Impact Alert: Heavy rain could lead to flooding across Carolinas
- North Carolina legislators fleshing out details on $500M in additional Hurricane Helene relief
- Dangerous travel conditions: Ice, snow and flooding possible
- How photos lost in disasters like Hurricane Helene find their way home, with a little help from people who care
- Dangerous travel conditions, ice/snow and flooding possible in the mountains Tuesday and Wednesday
Flash flooding, historic rainfall leaves widespread damage, thousands of power outages across Carolinas
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. — A line of strong storms brought record rainfall, flash flooding and widespread power outages to the Charlotte, North Carolina region Thursday morning as the Carolinas deal with a second day of torrential rain.
Multiple emergency crews in several counties responded to swift water rescues, including Iredell and Alexander counties. In Alexander County, more than a dozen first responders were called to the Hiddenite Family Campground, where a group of about 20 campers were trapped by rising waters. First Warn meteorologist Chris Mulcahy reported more than 30 people were rescued as multiple homes were evacuated due to floodwaters.
A Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 1 p.m. for Cabarrus, Gaston, and Mecklenburg counties in North Carolina, as well as York County, South Carolina. Multiple streams and waterways in Mecklenburg County have been reported to be at or above flood stage, according to the National Weather Service.
A Flood Warning has been extended until 4:30 p.m. Thursday for Burke, Gaston, Iredell and Rowan counties. Areas that may experience flooding include Salisbury, Statesville, Kannapolis, Mooresville, Landis, Rockwell, Granite Quarry and Troutman.
Chief meteorologist Brad Panovich reported Charlotte already set a single-day rainfall record for 2020 with 4.25″ at the airport. The previous high was on February 6, when Charlotte recorded 3.16″. Panovich tweeted that the Little Sugar Creek also set a record high Thursday, breaking the mark set back in 1997. Thursday’s rainfall set a new record for Nov. 12, was the wettest day in November on record and was the 13th most rainfall in a single day in Charlotte since 1978.
In Catawba County, the South Yadkin River overflowed its banks, pouring water into fields and flooding Highway 16. Traffic was shut down for hours while the floodwaters rushed over the road. Multiple buildings and cars were flooded during this time, as well.
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.
RELATED: How to report a power outage
Heavy flooding was also reported in Burke County where officials issued a State of Emergency as well. 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.
Panovich said Hunting Creek in Morganton hit a new record high with the water level still rising.
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. Numerous roads were totally washed out in the county during the storms.
Washed out roads, widespread flooding in North Carolina
In Cornelius, the police department had to close Bailey Road between Poole Place Drive and Delmas Drive due to flooding.
Huntersville Police tweeted they had to close at least one lane of Same Furr Road between Northcross Drive and Lindholm Drive, near the Birkdale Shopping Center. A westbound lane was closed but officials also said they were preparing to close the road completely if flooding continued.
Major flooding was also reported along Interstate 85 in the Charlotte area. Emergency crews were called to I-85 northbound at Little Rock Road for flooding in the roadway. At least 4 out of 5 lanes of the interstate were closed due to flooding for some time Thursday morning.
Panovich said the area had already broken a rainfall record for the day with more than two inches of rain in Charlotte.