(CHARLOTTE) – Nearly 7 inches of rain fell in about four hours in the Charlotte areas causing flash flooding, urban rescues and the death of a woman in storm swollen creek.

Charlotte fire officials said a woman drowned in a creek near the Charlotte-Matthews line. A possible second victim is being searched for who is possibly related to the first victim.

Firefighters used swift water boats and waded through waist-high water to rescue 20 trapped people near the University Garden Apartments off Beatties Ford Road after Stewart Creek spilled over its banks. The creek covered cars in the parking lot and approached the threshold of apartment doors. Firefighters went door to door, helping residents reach dry ground.

Evacuations also were needed at apartments on Andrill Terrace, located off Oaklawn Avenue near Interstate 77 in northwest Charlotte.

Flooding closed a portion of southbound Interstate 85 and dozens of intersections in Mecklenburg and Gaston counties. Firefighters in Mount Holly braved water up to their necks to help about 10 people inside stores in the town's central business district.

At the Embassy Suites on South Tryon Street, a drain pipe that carries water from the roof burst about 12:30 p.m. That sent water streaming into the hotel lobby, but the hotel remained open.

The heaviest rainfall report came from a gauge at the Vest Water Treatment plant on Beatties Ford Road at the Brookshire Freeway, where 6.85 inches was reported At 3 p.m., Friday Little Sugar Creek reached major flood stage of 14 feet; it's normal level is 2 feet.