NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — Bad weather from Hurricane Helene has turned Wilkesboro into a ghost town.
Heavy rains have led to the Moravian Creek nearly overflowing. WFMY News 2's Nixon Norman spoke with folks nearby who say they’ve never seen it this high… or go as fast.
Not only are bodies of water here in Wilkesboro overflowing, but so are the roads.
Right next to Moravian Creek is School Street. It's one of the roadways in Wilkesboro closed off to drivers.
So much rain is expected in the area that businesses off School Street are stacking sandbag on top of sandbag to deter any water from getting inside.
Millers Creek Fire Department's Fire Chief Robbie Bolin said emergency services are simply asking folks to stay home.
"The biggest thing for us, is for people to stay off the roads. You never know where a tree is at, especially at night. You never know where water has undermined the road. Everybody stay at home tonight please. If you are nearby water, if you see the water rising, please call, we’ll come out and evaluate if we need to get to you," Bolin said.
Fire Chief Bolin said that so far, his team has only had one water incident where a driveway on Reddies Street was washed away leaving a woman stranded, unable to get to her home. There were no injuries and she is now safe and sound
Bolin said that crews will be on standby all night across the county and state. Again, he said you should try your best to stay off the roads but do not hesitate to call them if you need help.