STORMTRACK 3: Record rainfall leads to flooding around area

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — More than eight inches of rain have fallen today at Wilmington International Airport. That’s an all-time one-day record for this date at the airport. All the rain is causing headaches for drivers throughout Wilmington. At the Glen Apartments residents were just trying to keep their heads above water as they tried to make it to their homes.

They say when it rains it pours, but today was a little ridiculous. After being in drought conditions for most of the month, it seems the skies are tried to catch up all in one day.

Flooded intersections at the Glen Apartments kept drivers from making home.

“We’re scared it’s going to mess up the car or we’re going to get stuck there,” Sharita McMillian said. “It’s frustrating. I got my daughter. We’ve been trying to get in here for over an hour now. It’s just frustrating.”

Most drivers saw the flooded streets and decided to turn around. And being stranded at the apartment complex ruined plans for a lot of people.

“We need the rain, we need the rain, but this is kind of tough because it’s my day off, and it’s the only day to get out and shop,” Deb Geller said. “And I got a Scion, low to the ground, one of those low riders, I’ll never get through that.”

Some drivers were not as cautious.

“You just go slow, but some people, they underestimate how deep it is,” Mark Spelzhausen said. “All it takes is for you to flood your engine out and you’ve got problems.”

Remember, if you come to a flooded street, it’s best to stop and turn around. You do not know how deep it is, and that way you can avoid getting stuck or getting hurt.

Residents at the Glen Apartments say no matter how much or how little it rains, streets in their community always flood, but this was some of the worst flooding they’ve seen in a while.