CHARLOTTE — Much of North Carolina and South Carolina were drenched by rain on Thursday, and the tropical weather Friday morning added to flooding concerns.
As rivers and creeks rose, so did the number of water rescues Friday morning.
In northwest Charlotte, Channel 9′s Eli Brand followed emergency crews wading through high water along Riverside Drive to help neighbors after a voluntary evacuation was ordered. But just before 4 a.m. Friday, a National Guard truck ended up getting stuck in the water.
Neighbors told Brand they’re waiting for the worst of the weather.
“I don’t know how we feel about it yet, because it’s a little scary. It’s kind of like one of those things that people tell you about. And I’m just kind of hoping for the best,” said Christopher and Whitney Olivares, who live on Riverside Drive.
More than four inches of rain had fallen as of Friday morning west of Charlotte, with more rain on the way, according to Severe Weather Center 9. Helene, which was downgraded to a tropical storm just before 5 a.m. Friday, could bring several more inches of rain, with more precipitation anticipated in the mountains.
Channel 9′s Ken Lemon spotted an abandoned car in Gaston County as the South Fork River gradually ticked up toward the streets in Cramerton.
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The National Weather Service reported early Friday that some people were rescued from floodwater in Burke County. Firefighters in Morganton went door to door warning people that Friday morning’s flooding could be dangerous, and people seemed to be taking that seriously.
[ TRACKING: Helene makes landfall. Tornado watch, flash flood warning in effect for several counties ]
“I’ve had to walk through this water way up above my waist, it’s going to be real bad,” Harold Wilson told Channel 9.
A shelter is open for Burke County residents at the Oak Hill United Methodist Church. There is also a shelter at the Citizens Resource Center in Dallas.
Stay updated on weather conditions with Severe Weather Center 9 at this link.
Channel 9 is staying on top of flooding in the area. Check back for updates.
(WATCH: Voluntary evacuation ordered for northwest Charlotte neighborhood)
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