Residents forced to evacuate from Hickory apartment complex due to flooding

HICKORY, N.C. — Heavy rain across the region has prompted flash flooding, a State of Emergency in Catawba County, and forced residents from their apartment homes in Hickory early Sunday morning.

Officials said the rain caused concrete on 12th Avenue over a dam to collapse.

Crews said they have been working to make repairs for several hours, but are unsure of how long it will take to fix it.

Residents at the Ridgecrest Apartments said officers started knocking on doors as early as 4 a.m. Sunday, urging them to evacuate.

The water was turned off so crews could work to make repairs and prevent any other damage.

Residents said they did not expect this to happen.

"I just thought it was going to be like a regular storm," resdient Tianna Burton said. "Nothing really affects Hickory so I wasn't really scared, but then as soon as I woke up this morning, I was like 'Oh my God.'"

[PHOTOS: Heavy rain leads to localized flooding, road closures, damage to homes]

Residents told Channel 9's Stephanie Tinoco they were told they would be staying at a shelter set up at Catawba Valley Community College for at least two days.

The shelter is providing cots, blankets, showers, food, and a mobile pet shelter.

Cox Media Group