Headline:
Flood Warning issued September 26 at 1:41AM EDT until September 27 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Event:
Flood Warning
Urgency:
Immediate
Effective:
September 25, 2024 - 10:41pm
Expires:
September 27, 2024 - 5:00pm
Description:
...The Flood Warning continues for the Pigeon River in North
Carolina...
At Canton affecting Haywood County.
.Two unique rounds of rainfall, one ongoing and continuing 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 significant rises within the
Pigeon River watershed. Minor to Moderate flooding along the east
and west forks of the Pigeon River is likely, resulting in Minor
flooding along the Pigeon River near Canton. The current forecasted
crest has been raised from 11.0 feet to 14.0 feet to account for
additional forecasted rainfall concentrated over a shorter period of
time, resulting in a sharper and higher crest.
The Pigeon River is a very flashy watershed and is very sensitive to
variations in heavy rainfall. There is a potential for the crest to
exceed the current forecast crest. If the forecasted rainfall over
the next few days occurs very quickly or in a much shorter time
frame than currently expected, significant flooding along the Pigeon
River is possible and may approach the Major flooding that occurred
during Tropical Cyclone Fred in August 2021. 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. This
is a rapidly evolving situation.
* WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. Moderate flooding is possible.
* WHERE...Pigeon River at Canton.
* WHEN...From this morning to tomorrow evening.
* IMPACTS...At 12.5 feet, A trailer park near Old Highway 19 and 23
outside of Clyde may flood. Residential yards along Richland,
Hyatt, and Allens Creeks will be in danger of flooding, due to
runoff and back water from the Pigeon River.
* At 14.0 feet, Some homes and businesses along Sorrells, Waters,
and Penland Streets may begin to flood.
* At 14.5 feet, Businesses in Canton near the river may begin to
flood.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 1:15 AM EDT Thursday the stage was 4.3 feet and rising
slowly.
- Action/Advisory Stage is 10.0 feet.
- Forecast...The river will approach Minor Flood Stage and rise
to near 10.0 feet this afternoon. It may steady or fall
slightly to 9.3 feet this evening. It will then rise above
Minor Flood Stage late this evening to 14.0 feet tomorrow
morning. It will fall below Minor Flood Stage by Saturday
evening.
NOTE: There is increasing potential for the crest to exceed
the Moderate Flood Stage of 15.0 feet. It is possible the
crest may approach the Major Flood Stage of 19 feet.
- Minor Flood Stage is 10.0 feet.
Moderate Flood Stage is 15.0 feet.
Major Flood Stage is 19.0 feet.
- Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of
14.1 feet on 10/05/1995. The Pigeon River crested at 19.60
feet on August 18, 2021 during Tropical Cyclone Fred.
- Http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Instruction:
If you live or are vacationing along any stream in the Pigeon River
watershed, including the East and West Fork Pigeon rivers, have a
plan in place to seek higher ground BEFORE the heavy rain begins.
Do NOT wait for a Flash Flood Warning to take action. Flee areas
adjacent to the stream before the stream rises significantly.
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
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.
Even 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock you off your feet
and a depth of 2 feet will float your car. Never try to walk, swim,
or drive through such swift water. If you come upon flood waters,
stop, turn around and go another way.
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 before Friday evening at 800 PM
EDT.
Area Description:
Haywood, NC
Forcast Office:
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC