Triangle residents, businesses work to clean up after Saturday storms

DURHAM (WTVD) -- People in the Bull City and throughout the Triangle are trying to clean up and bounce back from Saturday night's storms that brought flash flooding to much of the viewing area.

It's rare Francesca's Caffe on 9th is closed on a Sunday, or any day for that matter. But as storms were ramping up over Durham, water started leaking then pouring through the buckled ceiling, leaving owner Jalil Belmouloud had no choice but to send his customers home in the rain and keep the popular, decades-old downtown hangout closed as restoration crews work to dry it out.

The flash flooding caused problems all over the Bull City. Cars parked at Wellons Village Shopping Center near Miami Blvd. and Holloway St. were partially submerged. At the Eagle Point Apartments on E. Pilot St., property managers tell Eyewitness News they're placing residents in hotel rooms after 12 units took on six feet of water.

The American Red Cross opened a shelter at Hillside High School on Fayetteville St. at 11 a.m. Sunday. Stan Morris, Exec. Dir. for the American Red Cross of Central NC, said they will keep it open for as long as it's needed.

"We've been coming together overnight to understand what the need is," Morris said.

Back inside Belmouloud's now soaked café, Belmouloud is counting his blessings.

"I think we are blessed that nobody got hurt," he said. "That's the most important thing. My staff, my patrons, everything looks ok in that department and I'm really happy and thankful for that. Other than that, this stuff can be replaced."

A house in Cary was surrounded by water as a creek swelled during the heavy rain

A family renting a home in Cary had their house surrounded by water after a creek flooded.

"It's flooded before but never like this," said Jereimy Ellis. "Maybe getting to the bottom step but last night it was at the top step."

Our crew was on the scene Saturday night as the waters swelled around the house. The creek underneath Park Street flowed out of control.

Emergency crews responded, but were able to leave as the water began to recede.

Flooding hit parts of north and west Cary hard. Firefighters rescued 19 people from their cars stuck in water.

Lighting strikes also kept firefighters busy. A viewer sent in a photo of crews responding to a fire after lightning hit the Preston Grove Apartments. No one was injured.