© 2024 WFAE

Mailing Address:
8801 J.M. Keynes Dr. Ste. 91
Charlotte NC 28262
Tax ID: 56-1803808
90.7 Charlotte 93.7 Southern Pines 90.3 Hickory 106.1 Laurinburg
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Charlotte Faces Flash Flooding Risk This Week

ERIN KEEVER
/
WFAE

The Charlotte region could see flash flooding this week, with between 1 and 1.5 inches of rainfall expected between Monday evening and Thursday.

Meteorologist Sandy LaCorte of the National Weather Service says residents who live in low-lying areas and near rivers should be careful.

"We are starting to see some of the area rivers and streams recede," LaCorte said. "But again, as we have this you know, next round of rainfall come in, it’s not going to take much for those water levels rise a little bit again."

LaCorte said residents should also be aware of flooding due to saturated soils. Last week's storms brought 3.1 inches of rain to the Charlotte region on Thursday, and that amount of rain means soil won't be able to absorb much more precipitation. LaCorte recommended people make sure storm drains are free of debris and to not drive through flooded streets, as only 6 inches of water is needed to stop cars.

Duke Energy, meanwhile, is warning that rain could raise the water level of the Catawba River and the lakes it feeds. 

"We urge people living along lakes and rivers or in flood-prone areas to follow directions from emergency officials, pay close attention to changing weather and streamflow conditions and stay informed," the company said Monday in a news release.

This week’s rain could start as early as 4 p.m. Monday and will continue through Thursday evening.

Severe weather last week — which included several tornadoes — was blamed for two deaths in the Charlotte region.

Want to read all of WFAE’s best news each day? Sign up for our daily newsletter, The Frequency, to have our top stories delivered straight to your inbox.

Michael Falero is a radio reporter, currently covering voting and the 2020 election. He previously covered environment and energy for WFAE. Before joining WFAE in 2019, Michael worked as a producer for a number of local news podcasts based in Charlotte and Boston. He's a graduate of the Transom Story Workshop intensive on Cape Cod and UNC Chapel Hill.