Heavy rain causes flash flooding in NC mountains

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The North Carolina mountains started getting pounded by rain Monday night, and it just started letting up on Tuesday afternoon.

Some areas of the high country saw more than 4 inches of rain. It fell so hard at times that the water had nowhere to go, leading to flash flooding.

Just trying to get to work at the Boone Mall on Tuesday was a challenge for Amber Carey. Firefighters blocked off the main entrance after Krout Creek came out of its banks and flooded much of the parking lot.

“I've never seen it like this, and I've worked here for over a year and never seen it come up like this,” Carey said.

West of Boone, the Watauga River roared early Tuesday afternoon, closing down some area roads. DOT workers started coming in around 3 a.m. as rivers and creeks across the county starting rising rapidly from heavy rain overnight.

By mid-afternoon, much of Watauga River Road was also closed as the flooding made it difficult to even see the dirt road.

It’s been a while since people in the area remember a storm causing so much flooding.

“I'd hate to live up there,” Steven Williams said. “They'll be stuck for a while.”

WSOC