Headline:
Flood Warning issued September 25 at 4:33PM EDT until September 29 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Event:
Flood Warning
Urgency:
Expected
Effective:
September 25, 2024 - 1:33pm
Expires:
September 28, 2024 - 5:15pm
Description:
...The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg SC has
issued a Flood Warning for the Saluda River in South Carolina...
Above Old Easley Rd, 5 W Greenville affecting Greenville and
Pickens Counties.
At West Pelzer affecting Greenville and Anderson Counties.
.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 the upper Saluda River Valley.
This flooding has the potential to be the worst flooding observed in
the modern era, exceeding even the flooding which occurred on
February 6-7, 2020.
This flooding may shutdown several roadways. especially above
Piedmont Dam to the Saluda River headwaters above Saluda Lake. A
few roadways may experience strong and damaging streamflows,
possibly causing damage to roadway infrastructure including culverts
and bridges. Several structures, including homes and businesses,
are likely to be inundated as a result of Major flooding. A few
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 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...Saluda River at West Pelzer.
* WHEN...From Friday morning to early Sunday morning.
* IMPACTS...At 16.3 feet, Moderate flooding begins. First floor of
the lowest house in the Pelzer Mills area where Lyman and Adger
Streets come together may be flooded.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 3:00 PM EDT Wednesday the stage was 5.5 feet and nearly
steady.
- Action/Advisory Stage is 9.0 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise above Minor Flood
Stage late Friday morning to Moderate Flood Stage and a crest
of 16.0 feet early Saturday morning. It will then fall below
Minor Flood Stage Saturday evening.
NOTE: There is the potential for the crest to approach 17
feet.
- Minor Flood Stage is 12.0 feet.
Moderate Flood Stage is 16.0 feet.
Major Flood Stage is 20.0 feet.
- Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of
15.0 feet on 04/07/1936. This flood has the potential to be
the most significant in the modern era. The Saluda River
reached 13.36 feet on February 7, 2020, which is the most
significant flood this century.
- 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,
especially upstream of Piedmont, SC. If you live or own a business
adjacent to the Saluda River, 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
along the Saluda River.
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
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.
When it is safe to do so, please report flooding or landslides
threatening roads or property to the National Weather Service
Greenville-Spartanburg by calling toll free, 1, 800, 2 6 7, 8 1 0 1,
by posting on our Facebook page, or via X using hashtag NWSGSP. Your
message should describe the specific location where impacts occurred
and the depth of flooding observed.
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 will be issued before Saturday evening at 800 PM
EDT.
Area Description:
Anderson, SC; Greenville, SC
Forcast Office:
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC