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A flash-flood warning was ordered for Mecklenburg County on Tuesday night as thunderstorms stalled over central and south Charlotte, dumping more than 3 inches of rain in some areas.
At 7:45 p.m., the National Weather Service issued the flood warning for southern Mecklenburg County through 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. Areas where flooding was expected included central-city neighborhoods, SouthPark, University City, Eastland Mall, Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville, Steele Creeke and the Carowinds area.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said about 8:30 p.m. that no major problems had been reported, but firefighters said they’d rescued three people from flooded vehicles just west of uptown.
Two people in two separate vehicles were rescued about 8:30 p.m. at Ashley Road and Wilkinson Boulevard, said Charlotte Fire Capt. Rob Brisley. Soon, firefighters were called to rescue another driver trapped in high water at Camp Greene Street and Freedom Drive.
There were reports Tuesday night that Freedom Drive was covered in standing water. Brisley said firefighters and police put up barricades at flooded intersections.
As of 9 p.m., there were no reports of injuries, Brisley said.
The strong thunderstorm was expected to produce heavy rain, lightning, wind gusts of 40-50 mph and possibly small hail, according to the National Weather Service. Around 9:30 p.m., Duke Energy reported 1,444 power outages.
Some of the heaviest rain was reported in neighborhoods along Park Road and South Boulevard, including more than 3 inches in Madison Park, Yorkmount and Beverly Woods.
