Headline:
Flood Warning issued September 25 at 3:51PM EDT until September 28 at 8:00AM 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...Moderate flooding is forecast.
* WHERE...Swannanoa River at Biltmore.
* WHEN...From late Thursday night to Saturday morning.
* IMPACTS...At 15.0 feet, Moderate Flooding continues. Sweeten
Creek Rd. and Brook St. flooding continues between Biltmore Ave.
and I-40. Several inches of floodwaters are likely inundating
Decatur St., Garfield St., portions of Thompson St., and the first
floors of adjacent buildings. Flooding of land, roadways, and
buildings between the Swannanoa River and Brook St.-Fairview Rd.
is likely.
* At 16.5 feet, Major Flood Stage. Floodwaters are likely inundating
Biltmore Ave. north and south of the Swannanoa River bridge.
Significant flooding of adjacent land, roadways, railroads, and
buildings between Sweeten Creek Rd. and the Swannanoa River is
likely.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 2:00 PM EDT Wednesday the stage was 1.9 feet and falling
slowly.
- Action/Advisory Stage is 8.5 feet.
- Forecast...The river will rise to 5.3 feet tomorrow evening.
It will then fall to 5.2 feet early Friday morning before the
next round of rainfall from Helene. It will then rise above
Minor Flood Stage late Friday morning to Moderate Flood Stage
and the crest of 15.5 feet early Friday afternoon. It will
then fall below Minor Flood Stage early Saturday morning.
NOTE: There is a potential for the crest to approach 17 feet.
- Minor Flood Stage is 10.0 feet.
Moderate Flood Stage is 14.5 feet.
Major Flood Stage is 16.5 feet.
- Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of
15.3 feet on 08/30/1940. The Swannanoa River crested at
19.22 feet during Hurricane Frances on September 8, 2004 and
16.74 feet during Hurricane Ivan on September 17, 2004.
- 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
Forcast Office:
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC