CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Rain is coming down steady and heavy at times in Charlotte. Water is beginning to pool along Independence Boulevard, but traffic is moving along.
The First Warn Storm Team says the area could get as much as two inches of rain, which could cause problems in flood prone areas like Eastway Drive and Independence Boulevard.
The Highway Patrol and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department said there were no serious accidents due to the weather as of 7:30 a.m.
Residents living in a floodplain on Dunlavin Way in east Charlotte are still cleaning up from flooding two weeks ago. Now, they're bracing for more.
"I try to put stuff up in the back yard because the flooding comes down off of Kilborne. I've lost lounge chairs, trash cans, stuff like that," said resident Jerry Moser.
Ice storm threatens northern counties
Meanwhile, in counties to the north of Charlotte, residents are likely to get freezing rain and ice.
Catawba County emergency officials say residents should prepare to be without power.
"Be prepared to shelter in place and stay off the roads for at least two to three days," said Karyn Yaussy, Catawba County's emergency management coordinator.
Emergency officials in Caldwell County are comparing this storm to the ice storm that left 30,000 homes without power over Christmas.
Residents there are also cleaning up from several inches of snow that fell last weekend.
"Last week was light, fluffy snow and that does not pose a threat to the power lines," said Renee Whitner with Blue Ridge Electric. "This storm, however, we see ice accumulation -- up to as much as 1/2-inch is what's predicted. That can pose a hazard to power lines. It can weigh those lines down. It can weigh down tree limbs and trees."
Line technicians with Blue Ridge Electric have been told to top off their fuel supplies and check their safety equipment. All employees are on high alert and ready to respond if outages occur.
