Powerful Thunderstorms Result in Flooding, Water Rescues and Power Outages
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A strong line of thunderstorms prompted a flood warning for Mecklenburg County Wednesday night. WCCB Charlotte had team coverage to keep you WeatherWise and informed throughout the evening.
Flash flooding, water rescues, downed trees, and power outages were reported across Charlotte as the storm rolled through around 7pm. At 9 p.m., 7,900 Duke Energy customers were without power.
WCCB’s Alexander Elich and Marvin Beach had the latest information on flooding, storm damage, and power outages.
Firefighters were called to at least four water rescues where drivers got stuck in rising water. Firefighters responded to Hawthorne Lane in Plaza Midwood around 8 p.m. where water rose up to the windows of an SUV. The driver had to be rescued but was not hurt. Even the fire truck was stuck for a short time, according to a WCCB videographer.
Meteorologist James Scott provided updates on social media including this post about one of the water rescues:
Meteorologist Kaitlin Wright says over 150 lightning strikes were reported in a 15 minute span during the storm.
Across town in Wesley Heights, a tree and power line fell along Walnut Avenue near Morehead Street and Freedom Drive. No one was hurt, but police officers were posted so drivers would not run into the tree.
Walnut Ave Tree Down – Photo by WCCB Charlotte
More than a dozen streets were blocked because of downed trees and power lines, and some traffic signals were reported out. WCCB Charlotte will keep you and your family informed during severe weather.
With WCCB’s use of WeatherSTEM that provides hyperlocal, real time weather data, we captured the above time-lapse video with the weather station’s camera of the storm forming over Uptown and heading towards the WCCB studios.
Be sure to watch WCCB News @ TEN and WCCB News Rising and follow WCCB Charlotte on social media for the latest updates as they happen.
