Flash Flood — Cabarrus, North Carolina

1997-07-23 · near Countywide, Cabarrus, North Carolina

Wider weather episode

A cluster of thunderstorms producing very heavy rain sank south in the Charlotte metro area shortly before midnight of the 23rd and continued to redevelop over the area through mid-morning. Severe flash flooding resulted as nearly 10 inches of rain fell in some spots. Mecklenburg county officials requested that people not try to go to work or drive around. Numerous roads and bridges were washed out or damaged. A railroad trestle collapsed, dropping a locomotive 100 feet into a raging creek. Two women died after their vehicles became trapped in flood waters around 2 AM EST. A young girl perished around 9 AM EST when she went to play in the waters and was swept away. In Cabarrus county, 3 of the 4 injuries occurred when a plant roof collapsed due to the weight of the rain water. The fourth injury occurred in Mount Pleasant when a person drove into a wash-out.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5609227. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.