Heavy rains again block access to south Raleigh dialysis center

Several cars and at least one private ambulance were stranded by high water outside Fresenius Kidney Care Southwest Wake, which is off Durham Drive south of Tryon Road. No patients were inside the ambulance when it was trapped, but it did have to be towed from the scene.

Access to the center has been limited several times in recent months due to a blocked culvert. The property owner and the City of Raleigh disagree about who will pay to clear the blockage, which was caused by road maintenance workers.

"You get used to knowing that's going to happen," said Bill Ferenz, owner of a store near the clinic. "First the streets start flooding, then it just builds its way up, comes up through the sewer."

Employees of a Molly Maids were called back from assignments as water rose around their cars in the parking lot.

"They made heroic efforts," Molly Maids manager Beth Lasasso said. "They waded out in waist-deep water. They got in the cars. They tried to push, but by then it was too late."

Three of six employees' cars were damaged by flooding.

Lasasso said the convenient location comes with a cost on rainy days.

"But I can't deal with this," she said. "I'm losing business today. My employees are hurt. You can't do business like this."