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© WCNC.com PhotoPolice in Boone report the parking lot at the Boone Mall, next to Kraut Creek, is flooded.
The immediate Charlotte area is in the clear for severe weather, but big problems were expected this afternoon to the east, where meteorologists are predicting the possibility of a major tornado outbreak.

Earlier Saturday, rescue crews worked in Caldwell County to help campers trapped by flood waters this morning.

A line of gusty thunderstorms raced through Charlotte at midday, and the storms intensified as they moved east.

Authorities in Rowan County report trees and power lines down, and there are reports that strong winds damaged several houses in the Farrington Meadows area along Old Mocksville Road, north of Salisbury. A funnel cloud was spotted in Davie County, but there is no report of a tornado touching down.

A tornado warning was issued for parts of Union, Anson and Stanly counties after the storms moved east of Charlotte, but there are no immediate reports of damage.

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., has put part of eastern North Carolina -- including Raleigh and Greenville -- at "high risk" of severe weather today. That is an unusual designation, typically indicative of a major outbreak of thunderstorms and tornadoes.

At 2 p.m., the only Charlotte-area counties still covered by the tornado watch were Anson, Richmond, Montgomery and Chesterfield (S.C.). Storms should move east of those areas by 3 p.m.

No damage was reported in the Charlotte area when the final line of storms moved through. Forecasters expect partial sunshine for much of the afternoon and drying conditions.

There were scattered reports of power outages at noon in eastern Lincoln and northern Gaston counties as the storms moved through.

To the northwest, Caldwell County emergency communications reports several camper trailers were washed away when Wilson's Creek flooded about 8 a.m. at Killian's Campground, off Brown Mountain Beach Road. That campground has been affected by flash flooding at least twice in recent years.

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© WCNC.com Photo
According to emergency communications, two men had to be rescued and at least two camper trailers were reported to be in the water.

A swiftwater rescue team from the Charlotte Fire Department was called to the scene shortly after the flooding was reported. Rescuers waded through waist-high water to reach stranded people.

One person was stranded on an island in the creek and waited for rescue crews while another person was stranded inside a floating camper, reports Observer news partner WCNC-TV. Seven people swam to safety, and only one person suffered a minor injury.

The National Weather Service says between 3 and 5 inches of rain fell before daybreak in parts of Caldwell and Burke counties, and a flash flood warning is in effect for the region. The rain ended several hours ago, but it will be late afternoon before streams and creeks recede, authorities say.

Flooding also was reported in Boone, as the Watauga River is out of its banks between Foscoe and Sugar Grove. Police in Boone report the parking lot at the Boone Mall, next to Kraut Creek, is flooded. In addition, a mudslide has been reported on Fairway Drive.

Clearing is expected tonight, and that will set the stage for what could be several days of beautiful weather. Sunshine and temperatures in the low 70s are forecast for Sunday, with temperatures near 80 degrees Monday through Wednesday.