Evacuations Underway in Taylorsville As Floodwaters Rise

TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — “We’re thinking this might be the event of the century,” says Alexander County Public Information Officer Gary Herman.

Much of Alexander County has already received over 6” of rain since Thursday morning, inundating rivers, roads, and neighborhoods – and the worst is still yet to come.

“We’re looking at 4-6” more of this stuff before the storm is over,” Herman adds.

WCCB Charlotte was in Taylorsville as sheriff’s deputies began handing out mandatory evacuation notices to homes along the Catawba River by the Oxford Dam.

“It’s kind of scary,” says Willis Holden after receiving the notice.

Holden lives off of Fred Jolly Road and has never evacuated in his 30 years living here – but he will Thursday night.

“We’ve got to take our cats, definitely, and all that,” Holden says, “I already packed the medicine, flashlights, four sets of clothes, socks, rain gear.”

It’s not a decision Alexander County officials are taking lightly.

“Our main goal is a safety of our citizens,” says Herman, “And we believe that evacuating from their premises would be the best thing to do at this time.”

But at least one resident isn’t budging.

“I think I’m safe up here,” says Marsha Lynn.

“I’ve been here long enough. I have a pretty good gut instinct… I’m 70 years old. What difference does it make at this point?”

Much like Holden, Lynn has also lived off the banks of the Catawba on River Shoals Ridge Drive for nearly 30 years. She had to be rescued by boat from her old home closer to the water when it flooded back in 2019. She moved farther up the bank in 2021 – but she won’t leave the place she and her late husband have called home for three decades.

“My whole life with him is there, all of our pets that we’ve had over the years are buried there,” Lynn recalls fondly.

“This is my memory. This is my home. Now, if it floods this one, I’ll leave.”