Flooding in Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus

And to think, we're to get up to a half a foot of snow on top of this, tonight?!

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Heavy rain has triggered flash flooding Sunday evening in the Charlotte metro region, authorities report.

A flood warning is in effect until 10 p.m. for Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties. A flood warning expired at 6:15 p.m. in Union County.

The rain, totaling more than 3 inches in some places since Saturday morning, fell steadily and heavily much of Sunday afternoon.

Charlotte fire Capt. Rob Brisley said emergency crews were called to deal with three trees that fell, possibly because their roots were loosened by the downpours. One of those trees fell on the main branch of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg, on North Tryon Street.

"Fortunately, there were no injuries," Brisley said.

Ken Martin, deputy superintendent of streets for the City of Charlotte, said crews took time away from preparing for tonight's snowfall to deal with flooding problems.

"We had people clearing places where the water had backed up," Martin said. "We actually started doing this Friday, but we had a number of calls today."

UNION COUNTY

In Union County, flooding was reported at a number of places. Local authorities said most streams were receding at 6 p.m., but portions of some roads remained under water.

Some of the areas affected by the flooding:

-- N.C. 218 at U.S. 601, near Fairview.

-- Newtown Road, in southwest Union County.

-- Antioch Church Road, near Weddington.

-- Lawyers Road at Indian Trail-Fairview Road, near Hemby Bridge.

-- Benton Street at North Charlotte Avenue, in Monroe.

CABARRUS

Widespread flooding also was reported in Cabarrus County, especially near Harrisburg. The Rocky River rose to 15 feet at 5:30 p.m. near Harrisburg. The National Weather Service office in Greer, S.C., said at that level, flooding probably was taking place along Back Creek.

Cabarrus County spokeswoman Aimee Hawkins said flooding was being reported at these locations:

-- Bowman Barrier Road

-- N.C. 200

-- Stough Road

-- Bethel School Road, near Midland Road

-- Stallings Road

-- Pharr Mill Road, on the bridge between Sequoia Hills and Rocky River Road

Hawkins said authorities also were watching these areas for flooding: Robinson Church Road near Rocky River Road; Adams Creek near Oldenburg Estates; and Hickory Ridge Road near Rocky River Road.

MECKLENBURG

High water was reported at 5:30 p.m. in these areas:

-- Mallard Creek, along Pavilion Boulevard.

-- Sugar Creek, near Arrowood Road.

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And to top it all off there are claps of thunder rumbling overhead at the moment. Persistent drizzling rain - heavy rain - sleet -snow - thunder (don't know about ligthning, yet) - frigid temperatures, all in all a very appropriate start to the month of March, don't you think?!