Mecklenburg County leaders approve new flood response plan

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rain chances are low in Charlotte this week but the county has approved a new plan to respond to possible flooding in the future.

Channel 9 reporter Gina Esposito helped explain how city leaders currently are prepared for a potential flood in Charlotte.

Just off Little Sugar Creek, near Carolinas Medical Center, a gage measures water levels, which are sent directly to officials. There's also a web camera at that location, so if the water level of the creek rises, they'll know quickly.

This week, Mecklenburg County leaders approved a flood response and public information plan, just as families in Baton Rouge, Louisiana are recovering from a devastating flood.

Meteorologists have tracked 30 inches of rain in about a week there. Officials in Charlotte told Channel 9 that if that were to happen here, the city would see similar flooding.

The new flood plan is saving residents 25 percent on flood insurance. There are also grants up to $100,000 for homeowners living in specific flood plains.

The county could also buy the home.

"We're wanting to make sure that those people, those families are safe," said Mark Boone with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services.

Officials are urging families to purchase flood insurance now before something happens.

Currently, there are more than 5,000 families in Charlotte who live in flood zones.

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