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What roads are blocked in Charlotte? See the list + driving tips as Debby soaks NC

Hawthorne Lane was closed as Tropical Storm Debby drenched Charlotte on Thursday, August 8, 2024.
Hawthorne Lane was closed as Tropical Storm Debby drenched Charlotte on Thursday, August 8, 2024. knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com

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Tropical Storm Debby

The National Weather Services declared a flash flood warning was in effect for Mecklenburg County until 11 a.m. on Thursday.

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Traffic accidents and heavy rain from Tropical Storm Debby have resulted in numerous road closures in Charlotte.

Some areas of Charlotte could see up to 6 inches of rain between now and Friday as the storm moves through the Carolinas, which could flood streets, The Charlotte Observer reported.

To see which roads are closed in your area, you can use this live list at charlottenc.gov. The list is updated every three minutes, according to the website.

Driving isn’t recommended during tropical storms, but if you must travel in severe weather, follow these tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

  • Drive slowly: Increase your following distance so you’ll have plenty of time to stop for vehicles ahead of you.

  • Turn around, don’t drown: It only takes 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars, and just two feet of rushing water can carry away most trucks and SUVs. When you see the road is flooded, or if there are barriers blocking the road, turn around.

  • Look out for pedestrians and cyclists: Always be extra cautious in hard-to-see conditions, like nighttime or in bad weather.

For real-time updates on road closures in Charlotte, follow @QCTrafficAlerts on X.

This story was originally published August 8, 2024 at 10:38 AM.

Evan Moore
The Charlotte Observer
Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.
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Tropical Storm Debby

The National Weather Services declared a flash flood warning was in effect for Mecklenburg County until 11 a.m. on Thursday.