Michael flooding closes roads in Caldwell County

CALDWELL COUNTY, NC (FOX 46 WJZY) – In Caldwell County the rain from what’s left of Hurricane Michael only lasted a few hours, but it took a toll on area creeks and streams. Many were overflowing by Thursday afternoon forcing roads to close and some schools to let out early.

Just driving to Caldwell County was a challenge with extremely heavy rain and gusty winds along Highway 321. Highway Patrol responded to several weather related accidents in the area.

There was an unusual roar just beneath Brown Mountain Beach Road in Collettsville. The sounds from coming from Wilson Creek, which looked more like a raging river Thursday afternoon.

“This is one of the bad ones,” said neighbor, Sherry Messer.

Things got so bad that nearby Collettsville Elementary school closed at 10:30 a.m. because flood waters continued to rise.

Valley View Circle, a road just across from the school, was also closed due to high water from the Johns River.

Brown Mountain Beach Road, a route popular with hikers from out of town, was also closed.

Water was taking over the highway for as far as the eye can see early Thursday afternoon.

“You gotta be really safe when it comes to this stuff. It’s like the old saying, turn around don’t drown,

You do it in hiking, biking or anything else. If it’s like this the best advice is don’t go until it is over,” said Messer.

Caldwell County leaders say they are going to be monitoring the flooding along some of the area rivers and creeks over the new few days.