Flash flooding in Kinston prompts road closures Saturday evening

KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) – More thunderstorms occurring over portions of eastern North Carolina continued to exacerbate flash flooding concerns.

Storms moving across Lenoir County late Saturday afternoon and evening posed problems around the city of Kinston. The heavy rain prompted city officials to close several streets, according to a Facebook post by Councilman Chris Suggs.

Mayor Don Hardy was surveying flooded areas of the city, and he provided photos of the rising water in some neighborhoods.

The National Weather Service reported a car stalled in high water near the intersection of Queen Street and Plaza Boulevard.

The city of Kinston posted this information to Facebook around 7 p.m.:

“There have been reports of flooding on Queen Street at Plaza Boulevard, Vernon Avenue at Martin Luther King Jr, the roundabout area of Martin Luther King Jr., Highland Avenue, the area near Mitchell Wooten, the Meadowoods area, Stockton, and Herritage. More rain is expected. Please stay home if at all possible. And if you are traveling and come to a flooded area, please turn around. Don’t drown. Emergency services is working to redirect traffic in areas with high water.”

The E-911 Center in Lenoir County received reports of flash flooding, stating portions of Vernon Avenue were closed in Kinston.

Local officials and the NWS encouraged people to “Turn around, don’t drown” when encountering flooded roads.

Stay with WNCT 9 On Your Side for more information and the latest warnings.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.