Headline:
Flash Flood Warning issued September 27 at 12:05PM EDT until September 28 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Event:
Flash Flood Warning
Urgency:
Immediate
Effective:
September 27, 2024 - 9:05am
Expires:
September 28, 2024 - 5:00pm
Description:
FFWGSP
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
South Central Alexander County in the piedmont of North Carolina...
North Central Catawba County in the piedmont of North Carolina...
* Until 800 PM EDT Saturday.
* At 1205 PM EDT, Devastating rainfall of 6-25 inches has occurred
since Wednesday evening from Lake Hickory to the Catawba River
headwaters, with the highest totals exceeding 2 feet along the
Blue Ridge Escarpment across the upper Catawba River watershed.
This is resulting in catastrophic and historic inflows into
Catawba River reservoirs and this water is being moved through the
system to Lookout Shoals Lake and points downstream.
The latest pool elevations for the upper Catawba River lakes are as
follows (Full Pool is 100.0 feet):
Lake James: 102.00 feet and steady.
Lake Rhodhiss: 104.62 feet and rising rapidly.
Lake Hickory: 99.70 feet and rising rapidly.
Lookout Shoals Lake: 103.48 feet and rising steadily.
* Based on current rainfall forecasts and conditions, Duke Energy
expects Lookout Shoals Lake to reach or exceed 110.0 feet later
Friday, which is 10.0 feet over full pond. The current record
pool elevation at Lookout Shoals Lake is 114.40 feet which
occurred in August 1940. Lookout Shoals Lake reached 108.30 feet
on November 12, 2020, which is the highest crest in the modern
era. Major Flood Stage is 106.0 feet. These lake levels will
cause unprecedented, catastrophic flooding of Lookout Shoals Lake
and possibly adjacent reaches of the Catawba River.
HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Heavy rain producing
flash flooding.
SOURCE...Emergency management reported.
IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.
* Flash flooding will affect areas of the Catawba River from Oxford
Dam to I-40, including Lookout Shoals Lake.
* If the rainfall forecast verifies, Major flooding will be likely
along and near Lookout Shoals Lake and a Flash Flood Emergency
will be issued. 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.
* 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.
* Residents along Lookout Shoals Lake should contact Catawba County
Emergency Management immediately to update their contact
information using the following direct link to their Community
Alert System web page at: https://www.catawbacountync.gov/alert
Instruction:
Move to higher ground now! This is an extremely dangerous and
life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are
fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.
If you are in low-lying areas below Oxford Dam or Lookout Shoals Dam
or adjacent to the shoreline of Lookout Shoals Lake, you should move
to higher ground immediately.
Area Description:
Alexander, NC; Catawba, NC
Forcast Office:
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC