Motorists rescued as heavy rain floods NC roads

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Firefighters have rescued stranded motorists and evacuated a few neighborhoods as heavy rain flooded streets and roads in the Charlotte area.

Charlotte fire department spokesman Capt. Rob Brisley said Friday that rescuers helped more than a dozen motorists stranded in cars because of high water. They also evacuated people from two neighborhoods when creeks spilled over their banks. No injuries were reported.

The flash flooding was trigged by heavy showers and thunderstorms, and as much as 6 inches of rain fell in a few hours in some areas.

Brisley says many of the rescues were necessary because motorists were making poor decisions like trying to drive through high water on city streets instead of turning around.