Headline:
Flood Warning issued September 26 at 1:11AM EDT until September 29 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Event:
Flood Warning
Urgency:
Immediate
Effective:
September 25, 2024 - 10:11pm
Expires:
September 29, 2024 - 11:00am
Description:
...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in North
Carolina...
French Broad River At Marshall affecting Madison County.
French Broad River At Blantyre affecting Henderson and
Transylvania Counties.
French Broad River At Asheville affecting Buncombe County.
French Broad River Near Fletcher affecting Henderson and Buncombe
Counties.
French Broad River Near Hot Springs affecting Madison County.
Swannanoa River At Biltmore affecting Buncombe County.
.The first round of heavy rainfall is underway across the French
Broad River and Swannanoa River valleys and resulted in a quick 2-5"
along the entire reach of the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers
Wednesday evening. This resulted in a quick and significant rise of
these rivers to near or just above Action/Advisory Stage, which is
the level at which nuisance flooding begins. With this initial
response, the rivers are now going to be very sensitive to new
rounds of heavy rainfall, which are expected to return to the region
overnight tonight into Thursday morning. Both rivers may exceed
Minor Flood Stage fairly quickly in response to any new areas of
persistent heavy rainfall that develops. Therefore, while the
current crests have not changed due to a general persistence in the
forecasted rainfall, the time at which Minor Flood Stage is exceeded
has been moved to an earlier time to account for the quick rises
from Wednesday evening.
The current round of heavy rainfall, resulting from tropical
moisture interacting with a stationary front, will persist through
Thursday morning, while the second round of heavy rainfall is
expected to begin Thursday night and last through Friday morning
associated with Hurricane Helene. Considerable to catastrophic
Moderate to Major flooding across much of the French Broad River and
Swannanoa River valleys is expected as a result of extremely rare
rainfall. 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...French Broad River at Asheville.
* WHEN...From early this morning to early Sunday afternoon.
* IMPACTS...At 15.0 feet, Moderate Flooding continues. Significant
flooding of commercial and industrial buildings along Riverside
Dr. is ongoing. Floodwaters are beginning to impact commercial
and industrial buildings along Lyman St. and between Lyman St. and
Depot St. Floodwaters have reached levels similar to those that
occurred during Hurricane Frances in early September, 2004.
* At 18.0 feet, Major Flood Stage. Significant flooding is ongoing
along the French Broad River from Carrier Park to Woodfin. Most
buildings within the floodplain in this area are likely
experiencing significant lower-level inundation. Roadways
adjacent to the river including Riverside Dr., Lyman St., Craven
Dr., Riverview Dr., and Emma Rd. are likely impassable.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 11:45 PM EDT Wednesday the stage was 6.5 feet and rising
slowly.
- Action/Advisory Stage stage is 6.5 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise above Minor Flood
Stage late this evening morning to Moderate Flood Stage by
Friday morning to a crest of 16.5 feet Friday evening. It
will then fall below Minor Flood Stage Saturday evening.
NOTE: There is a potential for the crest to approach 18 feet.
- Minor Flood Stage is 9.5 feet.
Moderate Flood Stage is 13.0 feet.
Major Flood Stage is 18.0 feet.
- Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of
15.0 feet on 08/01/1952. The French Broad River crested at
14.55 feet on September 8, 2004 during 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 will be issued beforeSaturday morning at 800 AM
EDT.
Area Description:
Buncombe, NC
Forcast Office:
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC