Headline:
Flash Flood Warning issued September 27 at 6:52AM EDT until September 27 at 6:45PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Event:
Flash Flood Warning
Urgency:
Immediate
Effective:
September 27, 2024 - 3:52am
Expires:
September 27, 2024 - 3:45pm
Description:
FFWGSP
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
West Central Burke County in western North Carolina...
East Central McDowell County in western North Carolina...
* Until 645 PM EDT Friday.
* At 652 AM EDT, Lake James is beginning to respond to torrential
rainfall and potentially catastrophic inflows entering the
headwaters of the Catawba River associated with Tropical Storm
Helene. Additional rainfall of 4-7 inches is likely through later
this morning, on top of rainfall accumulations of 4-8 inches
Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Lake James is rising
rapidly in response to this rainfall where the current pool is
104.13 feet. Additional rises are expected over the next several
hours, with Lake James likely to exceed the Moderate Flood Stage
of 105.0 feet. More significant shoreline flooding, capable of
inundating homes and other structures, is developing.
* Based on current rainfall forecasts and conditions, Duke Energy
expects Lake James to reach or exceed 110.0 feet later today,
which is 10.0 feet over full pond. The current record pool
elevation at Lake James is 107.36 feet which occurred in September
8, 2004 during Hurricane Frances. Major Flood Stage is 110.0
feet. These lake levels will cause unprecedented, catastrophic
flooding of Lake James and adjacent reaches of the Catawba River.
* If the rainfall forecast verifies, Moderate to Major flooding will
be likely along and near Lake James and a Flash Flood Emergency
may be issued very soon. Residents are encouraged to heed
guidance from local officials and emergency management on any
potential impacts to property. Drivers are encouraged to heed any
barricades and avoid all flooded areas. This has the potential to
be a historic and extremely dangerous event. Please stay weather
aware and monitor lake levels and Duke Energy projections closely
for any changes.
HAZARD...Life-threatening flash flooding from rapid pool
elevation rises caused by excessive rainfall.
SOURCE...Duke Energy and McDowell County Emergency Management
IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of the Lake James
shoreline as well as the Catawba river immediately
above and below Lake James. At 105.0 feet...Moderate
Flood Stage. Unusual, damaging flooding is developing
adjacent to Lake James with considerable impacts to
property. Lake James Landing, Marion Moose
Campground, Lake James Getaways at Island Cir and
Houseboat Ln, and Linville Shores Campground may all
be experiencing significant flooding with inundation
of 2-4 feet likely.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Marion, Glen Alpine, Lake James, Lake James State Park and Nebo.
* For more information on lake levels or dam releases, people are
encouraged to visit http://lakes.duke-energy.com or call
1-800-829-5253.
* Please stay weather aware and monitor lake levels and Duke Energy
projections closely for any changes.
* Residents along and below Lake James are encouraged to stay aware
of the latest updates from McDowell and Burke County emergency
management agencies as well as local law enforcement.
Area Description:
Burke, NC; McDowell, NC
Forcast Office:
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC