Clean-up begins after flash flooding in Raleigh
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Two Raleigh hotels were inundated with water from Tuesday night's storms and 40 people were forced out to abandon their rooms for drier land. It happened in a flood prone area of Capital Boulevard.
"Within the blink of the eye, it seemed that the water had started rising," said victim Karen Young.
The water rose about three feet. Victims practically lost everything.
"We're wearing what we had on last night," said victim Rondell Smith.
"All our clothes are damaged. It's totally gone," said victim Elijah Young.
Inside rooms, there's mud, debris, and bugs now crawling around.
"This is pretty bad. This is worse than our apartment was in New Orleans after Katrina. That's how flooded it is," said Smith.
People at the Milner Inn had to be rescued Tuesday night. Boats and teams went to get people who were trapped. At the Capital Inn, residents were evacuated when the water started flowing into their rooms.
"It was right here up to my knee," said Young. "We tried to get out, but it was hard to open the door because the water kept gushing back at us."
Smith and his wife moved to Raleigh from New Orleans. His greatest concern was his wife, who suffered several strokes and has difficulty walking.
"We've been through this before. We know to grab the important papers, get your medications, get her out," said Smith.
Nobody was injured and everyone was able to get out safely.
"At least we still got our lives. It could have been a lot worst so this is materialistic stuff so it'll be alright," said Young.
The American Red Cross is helping the victims and has set up a shelter.
City inspectors toured a number of properties after the storm. None have been condemned. A spokesperson says the city will continue to monitor the motels to assure that the repairs are completed. The Capital Inn will be required to obtain a licensed electrical contractor and an electrical permit to evaluate the units prior to occupancy.
These motels are located in a flood prone area. The city is in the process of acquiring one of the properties. An official told ABC11 that the city received a grant to purchase the Milner Inn and is in the process of buying the property. The official also says within the last month, a request has been put into FEMA for the Capital Inn.
The owner of the Milner Inn did not want to comment on the flooding. The owner of the Capital Inn was not available.
