State Of Emergency Declared In Mecklenburg County

Mecklenburg County leaders have declared a state of emergency for the county following Wednesday’s devastating flash floods.

County Commission Chair Jennifer Roberts signed the declaration at the government center shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday. The declaration could help the county get federal money to recover from the devastation.

Mecklenburg County Emergency Management officials said the floods that resulted from the more than 8 inches of rain that fell Tuesday night and Wednesday morning forced about 100 people from their homes, including those in apartments. Dozens had to be rescued from their homes and transported to dry land in rafts.

Tim Trautman with the Mecklenburg County Stormwater Department said now the damage assessment begins.

“You still have mold and mildew issues, you still have wet floors, saturated sheetrock and insulation, possibly electrical (problems)," Trautman said.

He said the longer the water stands in a home, the greater risk of sickness. Jay Smith with Paul Davis Restoration in Charlotte said that’s why his business was up 80 percent Thursday. He also had a warning for residents after the flooding.

“It can actually be even worse. Mold starts to grow within 72 hours. Once they think everything is dried up, about three days later they can start having other damage they're not even aware of," he said.

So homeowners like Shelby Whitlow are trying to dry out now before mold grows.

"I already have allergies. I don't need mildew issues," Whitlow said.