WILSON, N.C. — Flash flooding and lightning caused significant problems in Wilson Saturday night and early Sunday.

There were reports of up to two feet of water in parts of downtown, where the water seeped into vehicles, and many residents evacuated their homes.

Heavy lightning led to electric power outages that affected a total of 6,000 customers. Many customers were reconnected within 10 minutes. Some took up to two hours.

The Wilson County rescue squad building on Tarboro Street became a Red Cross shelter. Rescue squads were working to locate stranded motorists or residents.

Wilson Police, Fire and Rescue evacuated several homes during the heavy rains. Two or three evacuations were reported on Sims Street. Two were on Grove Street.

Emergency crews also rescued numerous motorists who had become trapped on waterlogged streets.

Weather conditions may also have contributed to an accident backing up traffic on I-95. A tractor trailer flipped over, backing up traffic in both directions.