Cleanup Underway After Iredell County Reels From Flash Flooding

MOORESVILLE, NC — First responders and swift-water crews worked throughout the day Thursday as rising flood waters enveloped roadways and prompted several rescues in Iredell County.

In neighboring Alexander County, floodwaters became fatal when they overtook the Hiddenite Family Campground, where some campers became trapped in their campers when doors couldn't open in the high water. Rescuers recovered the bodies of three people, WSOC reported. Friday morning a search was set to resume for a missing adult and 1-year-old child.

Rain began pelting Iredell County late Wednesday evening, and by Thursday morning, the county had received about 8 -10 inches of rain, the Statesville Record & Landmark reported. The deluge caused creeks to rise abruptly and about 20 roads were flooded or washed out before noon.

"I've seen flooding before but never this extreme," Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell told the newspaper.

SEE ALSO: Iredell's Emergency Management Tracking Storm Damage

Rescue crews helped at least 10 people get to safety, including some who were trapped in their homes and two who were in vehicles that were overcome with water, Kent Greene, the county's Director of Fire Services and Emergency Management, told the newspaper.

Mooresville Fire-Rescue crews sent out 20 firefighters trained in water rescue to northern Iredell and Alexander counties, where they helped rescue multiple people from rising water, the Town of Mooresville said.

"Mooresville responded to two traffic crashes, and was assisted by Mount Mourne Volunteer Fire Department. Two of our roads reported flooding, but waters receded, and they quickly became passable," the town said.

Not all rescue efforts were of people. In Union Grove, rescuers helped a miniature donkey who was found swimming in a flooded pasture.

"The firefighters made sure after he was rescued from the pasture that he did not get into the road and even made a makeshift corral out of their yellow tape," the donkey's owner, Teresa Huie said in a Facebook comment. "I can’t thank you guys enough. You were my heroes today!!! Thank you so much!!!"

Here is video from Campbell's Feed & Fertilizer, located on Linney's Mill Road in Union Grove, North Carolina: