Widespread flash flooding in Boone leads to water rescues

Posted on: 7:08 pm, January 30, 2013, by Ali Scotti, updated on: 10:57pm, January 30, 2013

Photo Gallery Expand 1 of 11

“@DianneG: AppState under water. Boone mall is Boone lake right now"
"@TWCBreaking: picture of flooded car in Boone"
@MeghanFrickASU: "Blowing Rock Road/321 in Boone. Flash flood warnings are no joke and visibility is very low."
"@DianneG:Water is 2 ft deep at the intersection of 105 and 321 in Boone at tje intersection In front of Wendy's"
The Boone Mall (Watauga County Road Conditions and Weather Updates Facebook Page)
"@TomGocke: The most dedicated OrthoCarolina employee. Boone. Tracy cleared our parking lot drain to help prevent a flood!!!!!!"
"@JaredMMXIII: Boone NC....The Lost City Of Atlantis; or close enough."
‏"@AConner_30: Here is Durham Park at #AppState earlier. Normally a nice place to go on a walk, not tonight. #Boone"
Boone Mall Flooding WGHP photographer J.D.
Durham Park Mary Catherine Dickert
Wal-Mart parking Christian L. Morgan
PHOTOS: NC astronaut’s space odyssey PHOTOS: Happy Mother’s Day!Greensboro Science Center takes special care of rare baby gibbon FOX8 at Susan G. Komen race in Winston-Salem

BOONE, N.C. — Widespread flash flooding has been reported throughout parts of Boone, as a line of strong thunderstorms bringing heavy rain moves through the area.

Numerous water rescues as a result of the rising water are currently underway, according to the Boone Police Department.

Many major roadways are blocked and numerous detours are in place.

The following roads are currently closed, according to the Boone Police: Fairway Drive, Bamboo Road at Airport, Deerfield Road at Golf Course, and Dewitt Barnett Road at Water Bridge along the Watauga River.

Motorists are urged to avoid driving into the water, and avoid travel if possible.

A propane leak in theBoone Docks Street area has been controlled, according to police.

A flash flood warning remains in effect in the area until 12:30 a.m.

The High Country Press reports the Boone Mall is flooded with at least 10 cars standing in water.

Appalachian State University has cancelled all class for tonight, and will provide a “safe shelter” to students and faculty who are unable to travel home due to flooding.

Students began receiving emails shortly after 5 p.m. through the emergency messaging system—AppState Alert— informing students of the conditions. By 6 p.m. students were informed by phone and email that all classes were cancelled immediately, according to Lauren Brigman, Appalachian Student Ambassador.

Students were told to move their cars to higher ground and get to a safe location.

Boone has good flood control #saidnooneever http://t.co/2n1rkvJt
—
Grant Gowing (@GrantGowing) January 30, 2013

Same dude, different video. Watch him walk out into knee deep water at apt door youtube.com/watch?v=BSLxi3…
—
AppFan.com (@AppFanBlog) January 31, 2013