Headline:
Flood Advisory issued September 26 at 7:18PM EDT until September 27 at 6:45PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Event:
Flood Advisory
Urgency:
Expected
Effective:
September 26, 2024 - 4:18pm
Expires:
September 27, 2024 - 3:45pm
Description:
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.
* WHERE...A portion of Burke and McDowell Counties in North Carolina.
* WHEN...Until 645 PM EDT Friday.
* IMPACTS...Several docks, access areas, swimming areas, and
low-lying residential yards will likely flood. Some outbuildings,
campgrounds, and roads may be impacted with shallow flooding.
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.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 646 PM EDT, Rainfall accumulations of 4-8 inches Wednesday
night into Thursday morning over the headwaters of the
Catawba River and associated tributaries has caused high
inflows into Lake James. Lake James is rising steadily in
response to this rainfall where the current pool is 100.76
feet. Additional rises are expected over the next several
hours, with Lake James likely to exceed the Minor Flood Stage
of 102.0 feet. At this level, nuisance to Minor shoreline
flooding and flooding of lake access areas, campgrounds,
docks, swimming areas, and residential yards is expected.
Caution is advised anywhere near such areas.
Additional torrential, potentially devastating rainfall is
expected later tonight through Thursday morning from
Hurricane Helene. There is the potential for another 5-12
inches of rainfall from Lake Hickory to the Catawba River
headwaters, with the highest totals along the Blue Ridge
Escarpment. This rainfall will occur on saturated soils and
excessive runoff into elevated streams will result in
potentially catastrophic inflows into the Catawba River
lakes.
Based on current rainfall forecasts and conditions, Duke
Energy expects Lake James to reach or exceed 110.0 feet later
Friday, 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
possibly 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. 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.
- Http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Instruction:
Boaters, fishermen, kayakers, swimmers, and other lake users are
encouraged to exercise caution during elevated lake levels and
downstream releases. Lake residents are encouraged to avoid areas
along the stream below dams releasing water.
Area Description:
Burke, NC; McDowell, NC
Forcast Office:
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC