Severe Weather Causes Major Flooding

Rockford, Illinois- One of Rockfords busiest streets, Charles St., was literally turned into river. Residents who ventured out onto Charles to rescue items from stranded cars felt the power of it. "Its a really bad current; it feels like Im in a little river," says Rockford Resident Cassie Panozzo. "I think it`s ridiculous honestly, it`s really bad," says Rockford Resident Carrie Perrine. "There`s people trapped in cars and everything." In fact, the river conditions stranded nearly a dozen cars. Fire fighters were on hand checking to make sure everyone escaped unharmed. Perrine works at the KFC on Charles. She says she`s talked to several friends and co-workers who are trapped inside. "Everybodys freaking out and nobody`s going to fit through the drive through window," says Perrine. "They`re trying to get out. People living on Charles are left stranded on their doorstops. And for several blocks south, the flooding continues. "My friends that live down the block, they moved their cars in my yard so I have a yard full of cars now," says Rockford Resident Pam Vongsouvanh. "In 15 years, Ive never seen it like this." And although Charles is one of the hardest hit areas in Rockford, firefighters say there were more people who needed help than there were firefighters.