Saturday Thunderstorm in Mecklenburg County results in threat of flooding, damaging wind and power outages

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A severe thunderstorm over Charlotte Saturday caused a threat of damaging wind and localized flooding.

The storm, which formed quickly around the 1 p.m. hour, prompted the National Weather Service to issue both a severe thunderstorm warning and a flash flood warning.

Radar estimates show the show was capable of winds around 60 mph and quarter-size hail.  The same radar estimates showed the storm produced nearly two inches of rain in an hour. 

As a result of the heavy rainfall, several Mecklenburg County creeks quickly rose. A creek gauge along Briar Creek near Providence Road shows the water level rose at least 7 feet in an hour. Another gauge along the Little Sugar Creek near Atrium Health’s Carolina Medical Center hospital rose nearly 8 feet. 

Drivers are encouraged to not drive through flooded roadways. 

Duke Energy reported roughly 5,000 customers without power shortly before 2 p.m.