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Charlotte-area residents should watch for flash-flooding this morning as rain persists for a third day.
At least 4 inches of rain had fallen in some areas and more showers were expected today. Skies are expected to be clearer on Friday.
In Charlotte Wednesday night, a rush-hour wreck on rain-slick Independence Boulevard shut down outbound and inbound traffic for more than three hours. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said a collision downed power lines near the Briar Creek Road interchange about 5:30 p.m. The heavily traveled road wasn't open to traffic until about 9 p.m.
Later Wednesday night, a huge oak tree toppled in the Elizabeth neighborhood, crushing an unoccupied house on Greenway Avenue. The tree's roots pulled out of the soaked soil and its trunk split the one-story house as it fell.
Throughout much of the day, the National Weather Service issued flood warnings across the region as rain swelled creeks in counties surrounding Charlotte. Rain was most intense north and west of Charlotte, across the foothills and Western Piedmont. The heaviest rain, up to a quarter inch per hour, fell along a line including Rutherfordton, Hickory and Taylorsville.
A flood warning means that flooding is imminent or has been reported. Most flood fatalities happen when motorists drive onto flooded streets or streams and when children play in or near storm drains or streams, forecasters said.
Motorists should avoid water-covered roads, as even modern sport utility vehicles can't be driven safely through flood waters, the National Weather Service warned.
Heavy winds added to already miserable conditions Wednesday, knocking down trees and power lines onto roads, including North Tryon Street in Charlotte. Downed power lines forced lane closures early Wednesday at Tryon and U.S. 29-N.C. 49, and a tree blocked Tryon at 36th Street until crews later removed it.
Statewide, the storm knocked out power to 7,790 homes, including 2,663 in Mecklenburg County, Observer news partner WCNC-TV reported.
Flooding on rural roads, including Lawyers Road and N.C. 218, posed a threat to commuters. On Secrest Short Cut Road near the Indian Trail-Monroe border, floodwaters had spilled into the eastbound lane from a nearby field. That lane was completely submerged for about a 20-foot stretch.
The National Weather Service said its flash flood watch for the Charlotte region will remain in effect through at least this morning. Staff writer Cliff Harrington contributed.
