Flooding submerges roads in Raleigh, North Carolina, as 8 inches of rain deluge the city

By Kevin Byrne, AccuWeather staff writer

April 25,2017, 7:33:57PM,EDT

 

 Several days of heavy rain have resulted in dangerous flash flooding across the Carolinas this week, resulting in road closures, water rescues and rising river levels.

The persistent rain is the product of a slow-moving firehose of subtropical moisture, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
A flash flood emergency was issued for central Wake County in North Carolina through 11 a.m. EDT Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, North Carolina. Flash flood warnings were issued for other parts of central and northern North Carolina as well.
Street flooding was reported around Raleigh on Tuesday morning. The Raleigh Police Department urged drivers to avoid a number of flooded roadways in the area.
Nearly 8 inches of rain has fallen in Raleigh since Sunday morning. A normal rainfall for the entire month of April is 2.39 inches.
Raleigh recorded 4.51 inches of rain on Monday alone, making it the wettest April day in the city's history. The previous record was 3.37 inches set on April 26, 1978.
Wilmington, North Carolina also experienced its wettest April day on Monday recording 3.67 inches of rain.

Truck in river at Arbor Grove Church Road in Wilkes County, North Carolina. (Photo/Facebook user Michelle Dimmette.)

The News & Observer in Raleigh reported that the Raleigh Fire Department conducted a water rescue early Tuesday morning. The rescue took place at a home in East Raleigh, where a woman and three children were trapped by rising water.
The rain caused disruptions to the morning rush hour, and several motorists also had to be rescued from their cars, according to ABC 11.
Law enforcement officials throughout the Triangle region urged motorists to avoid driving through floodwaters.
Duke Energy listed more than 12,000 customers without power during the overnight hours in the Raleigh area, but that number has diminished through Tuesday morning.
In Elkin, North Carolina, the Yadkin River approached moderate flood stage after rising from nearly 5 feet to 20 feet from Sunday night into Monday.
Heavy rain also brought flooding to Charleston, South Carolina, on Monday. With a total of 3.06 inches, downtown Charleston set a new daily rainfall record. The old record was 1.12 inches.

High water submerged cars around Raleigh, North Carolina, Tuesday morning. (Photo/Twitter user @THEBIGJRA)

This homeowner's yard was flooded due to heavy rain around Raleigh on Tuesday. (Photo/Twitter user @NickinRaleigh)

Heavy rain flooded this bridge in Nashville, North Carolina. (Photo/Nash County Sheriff)

A rain gauge shows 6 inches of rainfall in Zebulon, North Carolina. (Photo/Instagram user @fatradishfarm)

A patrol car blocks off a flooded street in Raleigh. (Photo/Instagram user @iampreciouskat)