Storm causes high water countywide

An early morning thunderstorm Thursday produced loud thunder, lightning and torrential rain at times causing flash flooding countywide, Emergency Management Director Greg Beam told the Advocate.
Among the areas affected were Hinkston Pike, Cecil Pike, Howards Mill and some of the other area spots normally impacted, Beam said.
There were also reports of high water at locations in the city of Mt. Sterling, he said.
As of 8:45 a.m. portions of Locust Street were still blocked due to high water. A city public works truck was parked near the bridge on Locust Street to prevent motorists from going around a high water sign on the street.
There was also an area of high water on Main Street near the Hinkston Creek bridge.
Spencer Creek was also high in places. A passerby could be seen taking video from his phone of the fast moving creek water near the Mt. Sterling Bypass and Spencer Road about 8 a.m.
Beam said in most places the water went back down as fast as it came up.
The county was under a flash flood warning until 10 a.m., he said.
There was extremely heavy rain at times after the storm hit around 3:45 a.m. There were no reports of stranded motorists in the immediate aftermath, Beam said.
The county was still collecting information on impact of the storm early Thursday morning.
The rainstorm ended about 7:15 a.m., Beam said.
Thunder shook homes and woke some residents from their slumber. Lightning caused some isolated power outages that didn't last long, Beam said.
There were no immediate reports of power lines down or damaged transformers causing any outages, he said.
Montgomery County Schools were closed Thursday due flooding.