CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Multiple tornado warnings. Damaging winds. Countless downed trees. And a continued risk of rising water.
Residents in Charlotte and across the Carolinas are continuing to clean-up after damaging storms Thursday.
With the wind and rain gone, the attention turns now to clean-up and the continued flood risk.
The entire region saw at least two inches of rain. Some areas, especially in the higher elevations, saw upwards of 5 inches of rain.
Some areas in the foothills reported wind gusts up to 58 mph, with some roads underwater in Burke and Catawba Counties.
Rain fell every at times, challenging trees to try and hold their own in saturated soil.
Numerous trees fell across the region. Hours later, Duke Energy is still working to clear downed trees and limbs from power lines.
Some Duke Energy customers have been warned to not expect power back until at least Friday.
Residents living along waterways and low-lying areas are being warned to closely monitoring rising water levels.
In Charlotte, a Flood Warning continues into early Friday morning.
In Gaston County, voluntary evacuation are in place for portions of Cramerton, Lowell and McAdenville along the South Fork River in.
"Water in those areas could reach levels not seen since 2003," WCNC Charlotte First Warn Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich said.
The water is expected to crest at 16 feet. At those levels, South Fork Catawba
River floodwaters may be inundating the Cramerton Fire Department,
Cramerton Drug Store, South Fork Masonic Lodge, and adjacent homes
and businesses along 8th Ave. and N. Main St. Floodwaters may be
approaching the Cramerton Police Department.
Flooding of Duharts Creek may be impacting adjacent sections of Mayflower Rd., and Cramer Mountain Rd. may be inundated with several inches of water.
Impacts may be similar to those associated with flooding on March 21st, 2003.
Water is high across the region.
WCNC viewers sent us numerous videos of flooding across the region.
Andy Pagotta, a weather watcher near Grover, NC, said rising waters along Buffalo Creek washed out the bridge of Lavender Road.
Rainwater and storm runoff will work its way through the water system and watersheds over the next few days.
Officials are monitoring water levels along the Catawba River, which flooded badly last June in the Mountain Island Lake community during a similar heavy rain event.
During the height of the storms Thursday, residents in Charlotte and across the Piedmont sought shelter as the National Weather Service issued tornado warnings.
During midday, workers in uptown Charlotte sought shelter away from windows as a tornado warned-thunderstorm moved through center center.
"It's about the worst possible track the storm could have had," said Panovich.
Other storms with possible tornadoes caused damage elsewhere across the area, including in Matthews and Kannapolis.
Another possible tornado brought a tree down on a home in Gastonia.
The National Weather Service will visit Charlotte and surrounding counties Friday to survey the storm damage.
The storm investigators will determine whether the damage was caused by tornadoes, straight line winds, or other types of severe weather. They will also determine the intensity of the storm.
With thousands of Duke Energy customers still in the dark, and the prolonged threat for flooding, numerous school districts will close or operate on delays.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced late Thursday they would open on a two hour delay Friday.
"The delay provides an opportunity for CMS crews to continue to assess road conditions and receive the latest on power outages in school buildings," Charlotte Mecklenburg School announced Thursday.
"Even if it the rain lets up for a second, don't let your guard down," Panovich said. "This is not the end of the event."
"Just wave after wave of heavy rain," Panovich said.
SEVERE WEATHER TIPS FROM BRAD PANOVICH