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More than 7.5 inches of rain soaks Old Fort in McDowell County


{p}In total, more than 7 1/2 inches fell in the Old Fort area, but the water was mostly receded by early evening Thursday. (Photo credit: WLOS staff){/p}

In total, more than 7 1/2 inches fell in the Old Fort area, but the water was mostly receded by early evening Thursday. (Photo credit: WLOS staff)

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Heavy rain caused flash flooding and creeks and streams to overflow in Old Fort on Thursday.

In total, more than 7 1/2 inches fell in that area, but the water was mostly receded by early evening Thursday.

People who live there said it felt like there was water everywhere.

“All we have had is rain,” Old Fort resident Natasha Miller said. “It just comes with hurricane season. It really does.”

Wednesday night and Thursday morning were no different. Miller said it felt like the rain was never ending.

“The roadways were really covered this morning when I came in. I kind of hydroplaned all the way down this morning,” she added.

High water signs posted near creeks around town warned residents of the rising waters.

“Everywhere you go there’s just water everywhere,” Miller said.

In fact, there was so much water early Thursday morning it trapped several people when it overtook a bridge.

“Every time it rains hard like this, the creek gets up and we can’t get across the bridge,” David Philbeck said.

Just a few minutes down the road, residents and campers were forced to evacuate Tom Johnson and River Breeze campgrounds.

“As far as anybody losing a camper, so far, I don’t think so,” River Breeze resident Gerold Young said.

Young said the owner called him Thursday morning when the river started rising.

“He said the water's next to the bottom of the camper, you might wanna come and move it,” Young said.

Quickly, everyone pitched in and started helping.

“There’s always help. People are always willing to help. Don’t care to help in any way they can,” Young said.

Overall, a scary situation in McDowell County that could have been much worse, but, thankfully, it wasn't.

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