Flash Flood — Mecklenburg, North Carolina

2011-08-05 · near Thrift, Mecklenburg, North Carolina

Event narrative

A major flash flood event developed in the Charlotte metro area after 4-7 inches of rain fell in about a three hour period. Most of the streams in the city overflowed their banks at some point, including Sugar Creek, Little Sugar Creek, McMullen Creek, Stewart Creek, Irwin Creek, and Mallard Creek. Locations from near downtown to the north side of the city were particularly hard hit. Automated gauges on some of these streams exceeded established flood stages by five feet or more, including some record crests observed on portions of Irwin, Sugar, and Stewart Creeks. Numerous roads were flooded and closed due to flooding streams or poor drainage, with water accumulating to depth of several feet in some areas. Numerous swift water rescues were required, including twenty people alone from a single apartment complex off Beatties Ford Rd. Approximately 80 homes were damaged across the city.

Wider weather episode

A slow moving thunderstorm complex affected the western North Carolina piedmont during the late morning and afternoon hours. Rainfall amounts of 4 to 7 inches were reported, resulting in flash flooding in a number of locations.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.3400, -80.9700)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 344596. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.