Residents in path of Hurricane Florence race for sandbags to help with flooding

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Heavy rain and high water are the top concerns for residents in the path of Hurricane Florence.

The ones who spoke with Channel 9 said they are taking the flooding threat seriously.

It's a race against time before the water starts to rise.

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A handful of local hardware stores told Channel 9 they have completely sold out of sandbags.

"We've probably had close to 20 to 25 calls just today alone,” said Tate Finley, of Ancient Oak Landscape in Charlotte.

Sandbags are a hot commodity as Florence churns toward the North Carolina coast, and it’s expected to hit the Charlotte area with several inches of rain.

“Normal drainage won't handle 8 to 12 inches of water,” Finley said.

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Joe O’Brien, a hurricane evacuee from Wilmington, knows from experience how damaging flooding can be.

"I hope we have a house when we get back,” he said. “We only live a mile in from the ocean and only about 12 to 15 feet above sea level."

While coastal flooding is already underway, closer to Charlotte, residents are doing what they can to protect their homes.

"We're putting out bags and then people stop and say I need more bags too,” Finley said. "A lot more people are prepared for this storm than previous storms because Charlotte, it's kind of like a rare occurrence for hurricanes."

Channel 9 was told that Little Hardware on Mint Street in Charlotte is expecting a shipment Friday.

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