Clogged drains cause dangerous flooding on major interstate

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9 learned what the problem was that caused severe flooding on Interstate 77 North during rush hour Tuesday.

"It's just totally unacceptable," state Sen. Jeff Tarte, R-Mecklenburg, told Channel 9 Wednesday.

IMAGES: Tuesday flooding in Charlotte

He has heard from dozens of people upset over the flooding in the construction zone during a downpour.

From Chopper 9, drivers could be seen slowly navigating through the scary situation with nowhere else to go.

Channel 9 has the only local radar that showed 3 inches of rain that fell in the 24 hours before the flooding. If no changes are made, Channel 9’s meteorologists believe it will see the problem again when summer thunderstorms typically bring 1-3 inches of rain.

“What's the next contingency plan for when this happens again?” Michelle Ferlauto, who commutes on the busy interstate daily, asked. “And who is going to take responsibility and ownership and project?"

Department of Transportation officials confirmed crews inspected the area Wednesday and learned the devices used to help with drainage were full of debris and trash.

Channel 9 obtained cellphone video a first responder recorded Monday that shows construction crews line gravel along a concrete barrier. Inches of water pooled on the interstate, which caused a car to hydroplane and crash.

“Part of the issue is you putting people at risk,” Tarte said. “If (the construction company is not) following the prescribed processes and structures along the construction zone, then, yeah, they need to be held accountable even if that includes fines."

The company in charge of toll construction sent Channel 9 a statement that reads in part, “All measures in the construction zone were in place per state-approved plans."

Tarte wants to make sure of that.

"(Flooding is) not supposed to happen," Tarte said.

A DOT spokesperson told Channel 9 crews have already cleared all the debris and are putting in other devices to better help with drainage in flood-prone areas. DOT also plans to keep an eye on the area Thursday, when more rain is forecast.

Cox Media Group