Headline:
Flood Warning issued September 25 at 3:51PM EDT until September 30 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Event:
Flood Warning
Urgency:
Expected
Effective:
September 25, 2024 - 12:51pm
Expires:
September 26, 2024 - 1:00am
Description:
...The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg SC has
issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in North Carolina...
French Broad River Near Fletcher affecting Buncombe and Henderson
Counties.
French Broad River At Blantyre affecting Henderson and
Transylvania Counties.
French Broad River At Asheville affecting Buncombe County.
French Broad River At Marshall affecting Madison County.
French Broad River Near Hot Springs affecting Madison County.
Swannanoa River At Biltmore affecting Buncombe County.
.Two unique rounds of rainfall, one beginning tonight and lasting
through early Thursday afternoon resulting from tropical moisture
interacting with a stationary front, and another beginning Thursday
night and lasting through Friday morning associated with Hurricane
Helene, are expected to result in considerable to catastrophic
Moderate to Major flooding across much of the French Broad River and
Swannanoa River valleys. This flooding has the potential to rival
the Major, catastrophic flooding observed in September 2004 from
Hurricanes Frances and Ivan, especially from the French Broad River
headwaters near Rosman and Blantyre to Asheville.
This flooding will shutdown numerous roadways. Several roadways
will experience strong and damaging streamflows, likely causing
damage to roadway infrastructure including culverts and bridges.
Primary roadways that do not typically flood will likely flood,
resulting in very significant impacts to travel. Travel may become
very difficult and dangerous. Numerous structures, including homes
and businesses, are likely to be inundated as a result of Major
flooding. Many structures may become uninhabitable and some
structures may become completely destroyed due to ruinous flooding.
There is a potential for crests to exceed the current forecast
crests. Confidence in significant rainfall is very high, but small
reductions or increases in storm-total rainfall may result in
notable changes to the forecast crests. It is absolutely imperative
that you maintain awareness of the latest forecasts and plan NOW to
respond to the worst-case scenario for your area.
* WHAT...Major flooding is forecast. IMPORTANT: The forecast crest
approaches the flood of record.
* WHERE...French Broad River near Fletcher.
* WHEN...From late tonight to early Monday afternoon.
* IMPACTS...At 20.0 feet, Major Flood Stage. Significant and
damaging flooding of the French Broad River Valley is likely from
Etowah upstream to Avery Creek and Biltmore Park downstream of the
gauge site.
* At 20.1 feet, Record Flood Stage. Floodwaters are approaching
levels similar to those levels observed in during Hurricane
Frances in early September, 2004.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 1:30 PM EDT Wednesday the stage was 6.0 feet and nearly
steady.
- Action/Advisory Stage is 10.0 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise above Minor Flood
Stage early tomorrow afternoon and above Major Flood Stage
early Friday morning to a crest of 22.0 feet early Friday
afternoon. It will then fall below Minor Flood Stage late
Sunday morning.
NOTE: There is a potential for the crest to approach 23.5
feet.
- Minor Flood Stage is 13.0 feet.
Moderate Flood Stage is 17.0 feet.
Major Flood Stage is 20.0 feet.
- Flood History...This crest exceeds a previous crest of 20.1
feet on 09/08/2004 from Hurricane Frances.
- Http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Instruction:
This is an incredibly dangerous situation. Rainfall and resultant
flooding has the potential to be a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Flooding may reach some areas that have not seen flooding in at
least 20 years. Many residents new to the region since 2004 may see
unprecedented flooding across the French Broad and Swannanoa River
Valleys. If you live or own a business in the flood plain, assume
floodwaters WILL impact your structures and take precautions to
protect property now. Have a plan in place to seek higher ground
before the heavy rain begins. Consider temporarily relocating to
another location if you live close to the French Broad or Swannanoa
River.
Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive
cars through flooded areas.
Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite source of weather
information for the latest updates. Additional details can be found
at www.weather.gov/gsp.
To escape rising water, take the shortest path to higher ground.
This warning will be in effect until the river falls below its
Action/Advisory Stage.
For detailed information including observed and forecast stages,
flood impacts, flood history, FEMA Flood Hazard Layers, and more,
please visit: https://water.noaa.gov/wfo/GSP
The next statement is scheduled to be issued aroundlate tonight at
400 AM EDT.
Area Description:
Buncombe, NC; Henderson, NC
Forcast Office:
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC