Alberto's Remnants Cause Tar River To Flood

The river was about two feet above flood stage and was expected to crest at near 20 feet -- five feet above flood stage -- after midnight Friday, National Weather Service forecaster Bob Ussery said. The flooding left at least one road Thursday under two feet of water.

Water also blocked the main road through downtown Nashville, forcing businesses there to close and police to shut down roads. In Franklin and Johnston counties, a number of roads were closed by high water Thursday.

Eight counties were still under a river flood warning late Thursday afternoon: Cumberland, Edgecombe, Franklin, Halifax, Johnston, Nash, Wake and Wayne.

For many residents, Thursday's flooding was a reminder of Hurricane Floyd in 1999, which destroyed many parts of Nash County.

Overflowing water from Stoney Creek -- a tributary of the Tar River -- threatened the Town & Country Restaurant in Nashville. That same restaurant also sustained heavy damage from Floyd. Witnesses told WRAL the water started coming in the restaurant late Wednesday night and continued to flow in early Thursday morning.

Although there were no immediate reports of residences being damaged, Nash County residents left their homes on Thursday out of fear that the water would continue to rise.

Water levels of other rivers in eastern North Carolina were also on the rise. In Smithfield, the Neuse River was expected to crest sometime on Friday at more than 22 feet -- seven feet above flood stage. It was not expected to crest in Goldsboro until Tuesday.

In Fayetteville, water was also rising in the Cape Fear River, but was expected to stop at about one foot short of flood stage.