Headline:
Flood Advisory issued September 30 at 1:53PM EDT until October 1 at 1:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Event:
Flood Advisory
Urgency:
Expected
Effective:
September 30, 2024 - 10:53am
Expires:
October 1, 2024 - 10:00am
Description:
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.
* WHERE...Portions of McDowell, Burke, and Caldwell counties, North
Carolina
* WHEN...Until 100 PM EDT Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Several docks, access areas, swimming areas, and
low-lying residential yards are likely flooding. 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 1253 PM EDT, Lake levels are gradually receding below
Minor Flood Stage following the devastating rainfall observed
both from tropical moisture interacting with a stationary
front and Hurricane Helene. Approximately 6 to 25 (twenty-
five) inches of rain fell from last Wednesday evening to
early Friday afternoon 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 resulted in catastrophic and historic
inflows into Catawba River reservoirs, resulting in
tragically devastating flooding along the Catawba River
system from Marion to Lake James to Lake Rhodhiss and points
downstream.
* Nuisance, residual flooding of the lake shorelines as well
as adjacent low-lying areas along the Catawba river,
including farmland, woodland, parks, greenways, campgrounds,
and boat access areas will continue through at least early
Tuesday.
* Lake and river levels will gradually recede back below
critical levels by later Tuesday. A Flood Advisory for
residual nuisance low-lying and shoreline flooding will
remain in effect until this time.
* The latest pool elevations for the upper Catawba River
lakes are as follows (Full Pool is 100.0 feet):
Lake James: 101.90 feet and steady.
Lake Rhodhiss: 100.80 feet and falling slowly.
Lake Hickory: 96.90 feet and falling slowly.
Lookout Shoals Lake: 102.60 feet and falling slowly.
* As a result of recent historic rainfall, the following
crests and records were observed:
Lake James
Crest: 110.95 feet (NEW RECORD) (September 27, 2024 at 6:00
pm)
Previous Record: 107.36 feet (September 8. 2004: Hurricane
Frances)
Lake Rhodhiss
Crest: 109.62 feet (September 28, 2024 at 4:00 am)
Record: 110.10 feet (August 1940)
Lookout Shoals Lake
Crest: 109.45 feet (September 28, 2024 at 3:00 am)
Record: 114.40 feet (August 1940)
- Emergency management officials are urging non-residents to
stay away from the area to allow first responders to perform
recovery efforts. If you can stay home and shelter in place,
please do so. Discontinue all unnecessary travel. Please
discontinue inundating 911 centers with non-emergency calls
(for example, trees down).
* 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
- Areas along and adjacent to the Catawba River from near
Marion to Lake James to Morganton to Lake Rhodhiss will
experience nuisance flooding of low-lying areas adjacent to
bodies of water.
- Http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Instruction:
Please stay away from the area and allow first responders to perform
their recovery efforts. Please obey all barricades which remain in
place for your safety as numerous roadways have been compromised by
flood waters and may not be safe. Emergency management is urging
people who can stay home to do so. Discontinue inundating 911
centers with non-emergency calls (for example, trees down). Please
continue to heed all guidance from law enforcement and emergency
management as they continue to work tirelessly to keep people safe.
Do not attempt to drive through any flooded roadways, Turn Around,
Don't Drown.
Area Description:
Burke, NC; Caldwell, NC; McDowell, NC
Forcast Office:
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC