Update: Flooding forcing evacuations
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009
A man is stranded with his car or pickup on Innes Street, standing waist-deep in water. A witness said she saw him plow through the water this morning.
The water appears to be rising along Innes Street, with some cars trapped at the I-85 underpass, with water at least up to the hoods.
Boats continue to make their way around the 2400-2500 blocks of Faith Road to evacuate people affected by the flood.
The reports of accidents have slowed, while reports of flooding have increased.
There is water on the roadway on Little Texas Road in Cabarrus County. Kannapolis Citizen Editor Joanie Morris has spoken to Wilmer Melton, public works director. He reports emergency personnel have been out since about 4 this morning. The nursing home at Pine Street and N.C. 3 has been evacuated, with residents reportedly moved to a facility in Winston-Salem. Numerous roads are closed in Cabarrus County.
Photographers Wayne Hinshaw and Jon Lakey are out taking photos of the flooding; Webmaster Brad Thomas is shooting video and reporters Shavonne Potts, Mark Wineka and Paris Goodnight are checking out the flooded areas.
Morris reports Kannapolis Village Long-Term Care and Wagstaff Trailer Park have been evacuated. Residents of the nursing home have been taken to Winston-Salem and trailer park residents have been taken to the YMCA in Kannapolis.
Among Kannapolis roads that are closed or have been closed include:
Sloop Road
Trinity Church Road at Laughenhaur Road
Dogwood Boulevard off of Kannapolis Parkway
Dakota Street
Orphanage Road at North Cabarrus Park
South Little Texas Road at Mitchell Glenn subdivision
Mallard Pointe
East First Street at St. Joseph Catholic Church
Lane Street at Caroline Street
Oakwood Avenue at Sternwick Street.
Sheltering is available at the Kannapolis YMCA for those that can not safely reach their primary residence. The American Red Cross will be providing shelter updates at www.cabarruscounty.redcross.org.
Although the heaviest rain has passed, flooding is worsening in the Faith Road area, with several homes surrounded by water.
Officials have asked for boats to come to the area to rescue the people from those homes.
Faith Road is blocked at numerous intersections due to flooding.
Some of the worst flooding appears to be along Old Beatty Ford, especially in the area of Old Concord Road.
Cabarrus County Schools have cancelled classes today.
Kannapolis Schools are on a 2-hour delay.
Rowan County is under a flash flood warning.
Power has gone off east of Interstate-85 during the torrential downpour at 6:45 a.m.
Innes Street at the I-85 bridge is again blocked due to flooding as traffic increases.
A man was reportedly stuck in his car in water at Old Beatty Ford Road and U.S. 52.
Heavy rains overnight,including a period of extremely heavy rain around 4 a.m., have led to flooding throughout the county.
As of 6 a.m., police scanner traffic was filled with reports of creeks out of their banks, standing water in low-lying areas and numerous cars off the road or stuck in standing water.
Another band of particularly heavy rain is moving across the county now.
Reports indicate water over the road at East Innes Street near I-85, water in the road on Park Road, flooding along Old Mocksville Road, Lincolnton Road, Old Beatty Ford Road, Mount Hope and Old Concord roads, with reports continuing at a fast pace.
School buses are on the road already, with no plans at this point to call them back.
Discussions on the scanner indicate the Rowan County Sheriff’s offices in Landis and Salisbury are leaking and that a school bus had made it through deep water on Glover Road after a brief scare.
Check www.salisburypost.com for updates.