Headline:
Flood Warning issued September 26 at 2:28AM EDT until September 29 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Event:
Flood Warning
Urgency:
Immediate
Effective:
September 25, 2024 - 11:28pm
Expires:
September 29, 2024 - 5:00am
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 ongoing and continuing through
early this afternoon resulting from tropical moisture
interacting with a stationary front, and another beginning tonight
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 Sunday morning.
* IMPACTS...At 16.0 feet, Moderate Flood Stage. Crawlspaces for the
lowest-elevation homes in the Pelzer Mills area, where Lyman and
Adger Streets come together, may be in imminent danger of flooding.
* At 18.0 feet, Moderate flooding continues. Floodwaters are
expanding along the lower elevations of Lyman St and Adger St with
extensive flooding of the area near the Saluda River access
including within residential yards. Floodwaters may be impacting
the crawlspaces of the lowest-elevation homes with significant
flooding of adjacent outbuildings likely.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 1:00 AM EDT Thursday the stage was 5.4 feet and nearly
steady.
- Action/Advisory Stage is 9.0 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise above Minor Flood
Stage early tomorrow afternoon to Moderate Flood Stage
tomorrow evening and a crest of 17.2 feet early Saturday
morning. It will then fall below Minor Flood Stage early
Sunday morning.
- 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
18.0 feet on 10/22/1918. 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.
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