Roads and lakes closed in Wake County as heavy rains cause overflows and strand drivers

In the Triangle and across the state, several roads have closed due to floodwaters and downed trees. This comes as we prepare for even more rain from Hurricane Helene.

2024-09-25

Alerts

• A flood warning is still in effect for Johnston County and more than a dozen other counties.
• Dozens of counties also remain under flood watches.

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.

North Carolina Department of Transportation (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

As we prepare for even more rain from Hurricane Helene, several roads remain closed Thursday due to the rain we experienced earlier this week.

"The message here is turn around and don’t drown," Holly Springs Police Chief Paul Liquorie said. "Do not go through the flood waters."

Not only can it cause severe damage to your car, but it puts you and anyone else in the car at risk.

Wake County

Barber Bridge Road is closed near Willow Chase Drive near Garner due to flooding over Middle Creek.

• New Hill Road in Holly Springs remains closed near Stonender Way due to flooding over White Oak Creek.
  • The road was completed underwater Wednesday, with two SUVs getting trapped in the floodwaters.
• Police responded to three separate calls Wednesday for stranded drivers on New Hill Road.

Durham County

• Leesville Road remains closed near Carpenter Pond Road near Durham.
  • The road has been closed since Wednesday, after a downed tree fell onto the road and phone lines.

Orange County

• Harmony Church Road, north of Hillsborough, remains closed near Poteat Road due to a "large culvert washout."

Person County

• Reuben Allen Road is closed near Oxford Road east of Roxboro.
  • The NCDOT said heavy rainfall resulted in a pipe failure at Deep Creek Wednesday morning. The road remains closed until further notice.
• Detour: The detour starts on SR 1579 (Reuben Allen Road), to SR1542 (Old Allensville Road), to SR 1717 (Mollie Mooney Road), to US 158, ending on Reuben Allen Road

N.C. Highway 49 (Long Avenue) is closed near Madison Boulevard due to a pipe failure.

• The road is closed between U.S. Highway 158 (Leasburg Road) and U.S. Highway 501.

Detour: Use U.S. 158 (Leasburg Road).

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.

Some lakes have also closed because they can no longer absorb the excess water. In some cases, water levels are being lowered to manage the heavy rainfall.

Bass Lake in Holly Springs was closed after it began overflowing, turning nearby trails into ponds.