Staff report
State and city road crews spent Wednesday clearing drains of leaves and debris to eliminate flooding of streets and roads.
With more rain forecast for today, conditions could worsen.
An estimated four inches-plus of rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Ida caused minor flooding on roads around the county.
Rowan County’s 911 center reported some flooding in Spencer early Wednesday along Sixth Street and South Salisbury Avenue. There were also sporadic reports of trees down around the county.
A 911 telecommunicator said most of the calls early Wednesday were complaints about the weather ó not calls for service.
John Thomason, with the district N.C. Department of Transportation maintenance section, reported flooded roads all over the county.
Around lunchtime, state crews tackled blocked drains on I-85 at the Yadkin River Bridge.
“We have a lot of minor flooding all over the county, mainly leaves (accumulating) in catch basins,” Thomason said. He cited U.S. 29 in Salisbury and Spencer as having the most blockages
Leaves were also the major culprit in the city of Salisbury.
Steve Weatherford, city street division manager, said the major streams that typically flood stayed within their banks around noon.
All the leaves raked into the streets proved troublesome. Crews were working throughout the days collecting leaves.
Other city crews were on standby to deal with fallen trees and limbs expected this afternoon as winds increase.
Despite the rain and flooded roads, the N.C. Highway Patrol dispatch center reported very few accidents overnight or this morning.
The heavy rains claimed one victim ó the weather station at the Salisbury Fire Department.
Capt. Darrell Nichols said the roof on the building sprung a leak overnight Tuesday and flooded the weather station.
Before being flooded out, the station recorded 3.14 inches at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Nichols said the overnight total likely boosted the total to more than 4 inches.
In the southern end of the county, L.L. Goodnight on Saw Road recorded 3.15 inches through this morning.
Lee Goodnight said rainfall amounts varied widely. A resident a short distance away had 4.24.
Kannapolis police reported no flooding or problems related to the weather.