Headline:
Flash Flood Warning issued September 27 at 1:47PM EDT until September 28 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Event:
Flash Flood Warning
Urgency:
Immediate
Effective:
September 27, 2024 - 10:47am
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...
West Central Iredell County in the piedmont of North Carolina...
* Until 800 PM EDT Saturday.
* At 147 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. Major
flooding is developing at Lookout Shoals Lake.
* The latest pool elevations for the upper Catawba River lakes are
as follows (Full Pool is 100.0 feet):
Lake James: 104.70 feet and steady.
Lake Rhodhiss: 106.40 feet and rising steadily.
Lake Hickory: 99.40 feet and steady.
Lookout Shoals Lake: 106.60 feet and rising rapidly.
* Based on current rainfall forecasts and conditions, Duke Energy
expects Lookout Shoals Lake to reach or exceed 110.0 feet later
today, 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.
This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Catawba River from below
Oxford Dam to below Lookout Shoals Lake. This is a PARTICULARLY
DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!
HAZARD...Life-threatening, catastrophic flash flooding from dam
floodgate releases caused by excessive rainfall.
SOURCE...Duke Energy and Catawba County Emergency Management
IMPACT...This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK
HIGHER GROUND NOW! Life-threatening, catastrophic,
and potential historic flash flooding of areas along
the Catawba River from Oxford Dam to Lookout Shoals
Lake. At 108.0 feet...Major Flooding continues.
Devastating, widespread structural flooding within the
Carpenters Cove community and along portions of
Longfield St near Shadeview Ln is ongoing.
Significant first-floor inundation is ongoing,
exceeding 4 feet in several locations. Water rescues
may be ongoing.
* Flash flooding will affect areas of the Catawba River from Oxford
Dam to near I-40, including Lookout Shoals Lake.
* 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; Iredell, NC
Forcast Office:
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC