After a couple of days of occasional moderate to heavy rain acted to elevate stream flows and soil moisture levels, heavy rain showers and thunderstorms developing along and ahead of a cold front produced 2-3 inches of rain in just a few hours across portions of the Piedmont, resulting in areas of flash flooding.

Flash Flood in CLEVELAND, NORTH CAROLINA
From 30-DEC-15 10:00:00 to 30-DEC-15 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: KINGS MTN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Highway Patrol, spotter, and media reported flash flooding developed along Beason Creek on the west side of Kings Mountain after as much as 3 inches of rain fell in just a few hours. A bridge on Brook Forest Dr near El Bethel Rd was completely washed out. The creek was also reportedly flooding Phifer Rd.

Flash Flood in GASTON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 30-DEC-15 12:00:00 to 30-DEC-15 14:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: BESSEMER CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Public (via social media) and media reported flash flooding developed over portions of Gaston County after as much as 3 inches of rain fell over the county in just a few hours. Water was reported flowing over Crawford Rd, possibly due to an overflowing McGill Branch. Two families were evacuated from a mobile home park off Archie Whitesides Rd when Crowders Creek overflowed its banks. Another stream overflowed its banks in the Long Creek community, sending deep water flowing over a road.

Flash Flood in MECKLENBURG, NORTH CAROLINA
From 30-DEC-15 12:00:00 to 30-DEC-15 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HUNTERSVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Multiple sources reported flash flooding developed across northern portions of Charlotte after as much as 3 inches of rain fell in just a few hours. McIlwaine Rd was closed due to flooding of a McDowell Creek tributary. Significant road flooding and a house surrounded by water were reported on Gilead Rd, possibly due to a tributary of Torrence Creek overflowing its banks. Significant urban/poor drainage flooding was reported at Highway 115 and Alexandria Rd. A stream gauge on Mallard Creek along Pavillion Blvd exceeded established flood stage by 2 feet, indicating flooding of low lying areas between I-485 and Pavillion Blvd.

Flash Flood in UNION, NORTH CAROLINA
From 31-DEC-15 13:00:00 to 31-DEC-15 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: FAIRVIEW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

County comms reported numerous roads flooded and closed, especially across the northern part of the county, after as much as 2 inches of rain fell in just a few hours. The flooded roads were the result of both stream flooding and poor drainage in urbanized areas.

Flood in GASTON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 30-DEC-15 14:30:00 to 30-DEC-15 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BESSEMER CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Although heavy rain began to taper off across Gaston County during the afternoon, runoff from the earlier rainfall, combined with an occasional burst of moderate to heavy rain, resulted in only slow recession of water levels into the evening.

Flash Flood in CABARRUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 30-DEC-15 10:30:00 to 30-DEC-15 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROBERTA MILLS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Multiple sources reported flash flooding, some of which was significant, developed across much of central and western Cabarrus County after as much as 3 inches of rain fell in just a few hours. Significant drainage  flooding was reported in all urbanized areas, including Oakwood Ave in Kannapolis, multiple streets in Concord, and Old Salisbury-Concord Rd, which was closed in two places due to washed out culverts. Significant stream flooding also developed along the Rocky River and especially its tributaries. A stream gauge on the river above Irish Buffalo Creek exceeded established flood stage by as much as 6 feet.  Roads affected by this stream flooding included Pharr Mill Rd, Stallings Rd, Hopewell Church Rd, Bowman Barrier Rd, Cox Mill Rd, and Highway 200.

Flood in MECKLENBURG, NORTH CAROLINA
From 30-DEC-15 16:00:00 to 30-DEC-15 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HUNTERSVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Although heavy rain began to taper off across Mecklenburg County during the late afternoon, runoff from the earlier heavy rain, along with an occasional moderate to heavy rain shower resulted in only slow improvement of high water conditions into early evening.

Flood in CABARRUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 30-DEC-15 16:00:00 to 30-DEC-15 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROBERTA MILLS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Although heavy rain tapered off across Cabarrus County by late afternoon, runoff from the earlier heavy rainfall, along with the occasional moderate to heavy rain shower, resulted in only slow recession of flood water into the evening hours.

Flood in UNION, NORTH CAROLINA
From 30-DEC-15 17:00:00 to 30-DEC-15 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: FAIRVIEW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Although heavy rainfall tapered off across Union County by early evening, continued runoff from the earlier heavy rainfall resulted in only slow recession of flood water through the evening hours.

Flood in CABARRUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 30-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 31-DEC-15 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MIDLAND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

While flood waters receded across much of Cabarrus County, continued runoff resulted in persistent flooding along the Rocky River and some of its tributaries through the morning of the 31st. Affected roads included Pharr Mill, Stallings, Hopewell Church, Bowman Barrier, Cox Mill Roads and portions of Highway 200.