ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — More than 30 people were rescued from rising floodwaters at the Hiddenite Family Campground in Alexander County, North Carolina Thursday due to heavy rains that drenched the Carolinas.
Alexander County, which is about 60 miles northwest of uptown Charlotte, experienced torrential rainfall as heavy showers and thunderstorms moved across the region Thursday morning. The Conover Fire Department said emergency crews began responding to calls of trapped campers around 6 a.m. Initial reports indicated a group of 15-20 people were in need of rescue, but that number quickly grew as crews assessed the situation.
Floodwaters rose to the tops of several houses and fully submerged multiple vehicles. Mooresville Fire and Rescue was also called to the scene. The rain had stopped by about 12 p.m. and waters started to recede.
Over 20 search and rescue crews are still at the campground searching for any people who may still be trapped.
A Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 3 p.m. in parts of Cabarrus, Gaston, Mecklenburg and York counties. Areas impacted include Rock Hill, uptown Charlotte, Huntersville, Davidson, Mint Hill, Cornelius, western Concord, Fort Mill, Matthews, Tega Cay and Clover.
A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring.
If you are in the warned area move to higher ground immediately.
A Flood Watch is in effect until 7 p.m. for most of the WCNC Charlotte viewing area, including Alexander, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Burke, Rutherford, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan and Union counties in North Carolina. In South Carolina, York and Chester counties are under a Flood Watch until 7 p.m.
Widespread flooding was reported in surrounding counties including Catawba and Burke Counties where State of Emergencies were issued Thursday morning.