Headline:
Flash Flood Warning issued September 27 at 7:23PM EDT until September 29 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Event:
Flash Flood Warning
Urgency:
Immediate
Effective:
September 27, 2024 - 4:23pm
Expires:
September 29, 2024 - 11:00am
Description:
FFWGSP
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Central Burke County in western North Carolina...
Southeastern Caldwell County in western North Carolina...
East Central McDowell County in western North Carolina...
* Until 200 PM EDT Sunday.
* At 723 PM EDT, Devastating rainfall of 6-25 (twenty-five) inches
occurred from Wednesday evening through Friday morning 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 Lake James, and releases from Lake James are
causing catastrophic flooding along the Catawba River into Lake
Rhodhiss.
* The latest pool elevations for the upper Catawba River lakes are
as follows (Full Pool is 100.0 feet):
Lake James: 110.3 feet and rising steadily. RECORD BROKEN.
Lake Rhodhiss: 108.1 feet and rising steadily.
* The former 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.
* The current record pool elevation at Lake Rhodhiss is 110.10 feet
which occurred in August 1940. Major Flood Stage is 110.0 feet.
* This is an unprecedented and extremely dangerous event. Residents
are urged to heed guidance from emergency management and law
enforcement on any potential impacts to property. We are pleading
with drivers to heed any barricades and avoid all flooded areas.
There have been numerous swift water rescues because people are
choosing to risk their lives and the lives of others by failing to
Turn Around Don't Drown. Please do the right thing and protect
your life, the life of your family, and the lives of those who
risk theirs to save you.
This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Catawba River from Lake James
to Lake Rhodhiss. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK
HIGHER GROUND NOW!
HAZARD...Life-threatening flash flooding from historic rainfall
and resultant dam floodgate releases.
SOURCE...Duke Energy and Burke County Emergency Management.
IMPACT...This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK
HIGHER GROUND NOW! Life-threatening flash-flooding of
Lake James, the Catawba River, and Lake Rhodhiss is
ongoing. Structural flooding along Lake James
continues and is developing along Lake Rhodhiss.
Downstream of Bridgewater Dam on the Catawba River,
several structrues are damaged or destroyed, with some
single-level homes submerged by floodwaters. These
floodwaters are causing numerous swift-water rescues.
Backwater effects are causing significant inundation
along tributaries, including flooding exceeding 4 ft
deep at the NC 18/US 64 bridge, blocking a primary
roadway connecting Morganton and Lenoir.
* 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 https://lakes.duke-energy.com or call
1-800-829-5253.
* Residents along the Catawba River are encouraged to stay aware of
the latest updates from Burke County by signing up for alerts at:
http://smart911.com
* McDowell County Emergency Management, Burke County Emergency
Management, Caldwell County Emergency Management, and Duke Energy
are closely monitoring these high flows and pool levels and
additional updates will be provided as new information becomes
available.
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 along the Catawba River you should move
to higher ground immediately.
Area Description:
Burke, NC; Caldwell, NC; McDowell, NC
Forcast Office:
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC