Clean-up Continues After Flash Floods Drench Parts of Central, Eastern N.C.

Posted 11:00 a.m. Jul 23, 2000 — Updated 11:00 a.m. Jul 23, 2000

CHAPEL HILL — Flooding brought on by heavy Monday morning rains left mud, damaged property and overwhelmed residents from the Triangle up to the Virginia border. Forecasters say more rain is on the way, and more flooding is expected in some areas. Down East Flooding?Aflash flood warning is in effect for Nash and Edgecombe Counties until 6 a.m. Wednesday.

TheNational Weather Servicesays theTar River at Rocky Mountmay rise a little over the 15-foot flood stage, causing flooding of lowlands near the river before falling below flood stage Tuesday night.

Fishing Creek at Enfield and theNeuse River at Smithfieldare expected to rise through Tuesday, cresting below flood stage.

Southern Orange County had flooding on some secondary roads.

Residents at Camelot Village Apartments near Estes Drive were allowed back in to their homes, after they were evacuated to a Red Cross Shelter Monday morning. The ground-floor units had up to a foot of water inside.

Resident Denton Hardee was staggered by what he saw in his apartment. He had no renter's insurance. "I never thought it would flood. This is mind-boggling."

Before dawn, some shop owners had made it to the Eastgate Shopping Center and University Mall to check on their businesses, many of which had up to 4 feet of standing water.

On Piney Mountain Road, one vehicle dove nosefirst in the roadbed after the highway broke apart in huge chunks. The driver was able to escape unharmed through a window.

At one Chapel Hill post office, delivery trucks were marooned in the parking lot. A water plant was so isolated, the only way workers could arrive was by boat. The Chapel Hill Country Club had a new "water hazard" this morning, as portions of the golf course were submerged, making a great lake for some ducks. Piney Mountain Road.

Umstead Drive remains closed until further notice and high water on Rogerson Drive makes driving there hazardous.

Chapel Hill Transit will detour it's "A" Route, which includes Piney Mountain Road, until further notice.A Red Cross shelter at 101 Ephesus Church Road will remain open as needed. Call942-7796for information. Durham:The Bull City was not spared. Troublespots in Durham were reported on Acadia, Hillandale and Albany.

Police barricaded some streets around Northgate Park due to flooding. Resident Willie Walker said he had not seen water so high since Hurricane Floyd. When the water got to within 6 inches of his house, he loaded up a truck and left his home.

The 1800 block of Albany Street in Durham saw some heavy flooding. Witnesses say the street was covered with water and some people had to leave their homes. A strong current was reported under the Albany Street bridge. Franklin & Halifax Counties:Doppler radar estimates as much as 10 inches of rain fell in parts of northeast Franklin County overnight. In Louisburg, more than 7 inches of rain was reported.

Two roads were washed out andN.C. Department of Transportationclosed six others due to high water.

The Tar River at Louisburg fell below flood stage Monday evening, and a flood warning was dropped. The river is expected to fall slowly over the next few days.

In Halifax County, six roads were closed, including Lonnie B. Green Road.

Commuters are warned to be especially alert for water that pools on streets, bridges and on ramps to highways. Warren County:According to the DOT, the following road remain closed to traffic:

Both directions of SR 1636 at Bethlehem Road, south of Arcola

Reporters:Stephanie Hawco, Len Besthoff and Brian BowmanPhotographers:John Cox, Terry Cantrell and Keith BakerOnLine Producers:Kay Miller,Michelle SingerandBrian Shrader

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