Lakes and roads closed in Wake County as heavy rains cause overflows and stranded drivers

Person County Schools closed on Wednesday due to flooding in the area. In the Triangle, several roads were closed due to floodwaters and downed trees.

• A flood warning is still in effect for Johnston County, as well as several others.
• Dozens of counties also remain under flood watches.

Person County Schools is closed Wednesday, the district’s website says. The county was under a flash flood warning.

“Due to roads being closed because of flooding and other possible hazardous road conditions, Person County Schools will be closed for students,” the website said.

Sinkhole in Roxboro

The flooding was so strong it caused a massive 25-foot deep sinkhole on Long Avenue in Roxboro. The problem was compounded by rains and a pipe under the road collapsing.

NCDOT crews said it was around 5 a.m. when part of Long Avenue caved in.

Roxboro Police told WRAL News they responded to two flooding calls on Madison Boulevard. Nobody was hurt but it stranded one vehicle.

A nearby Mexican restaurant had its entire parking lot flooded as well.

Closed roads and lakes

Heavy rains have led to the closure of lakes and roads, leaving drivers stranded in southwestern Wake County.

Some lakes can no longer absorb the excess water, and in some cases, water levels are being lowered to manage the heavy rainfall.

Bass Lake in Holly Springs was closed after overflowing, turning nearby trails into ponds where ducks swam freely.

Some roads in the same area was impassable because of flooding this morning.

Police responded to three separate calls for stranded drivers on New Hill Road.

“There message here is turn around and don’t drown. Do not go through the flood waters to the damage it can do to your vehicle and puts you and your passengers at risk,”Paul Liquorie/ Holly Springs Police Chief said.

Also in Wake County, Johnson Pond Road has been closed in both directions near Bells Lake Road. The road is closed due to flooding and isn’t expected to reopen until Saturday at 7:20 a.m., according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).

In Durham County, a tree fell on Leesville Road Wednesday morning – falling onto phone lines and blocking a busy road after storms hit the Triangle Tuesday. The road is closed in both directions near Carpenter Pond Road.

North of Hillsborough in Orange County, has also closed Harmony Church Road near Poteat Road due to a “large culvert washout,” the NCDOT said.

You can see all the road closures across the area at DriveNC.gov. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency on Wednesday ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Helene. Helene is expected to bring heavy rain to parts of the state.