Headline:
Flood Warning issued September 26 at 12:44PM EDT until September 30 at 12:40PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Event:
Flood Warning
Urgency:
Expected
Effective:
September 26, 2024 - 9:44am
Expires:
September 26, 2024 - 9:45pm
Description:
...Forecast flooding changed from Moderate to Major severity and
increased in duration for the following rivers in North Carolina...
French Broad River At Marshall affecting Madison County.
French Broad River Near Hot Springs affecting Madison County.
French Broad River At Asheville affecting Buncombe 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 5-8"
along the entire reach of the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers
Wednesday evening. This resulted in a quick and significant rise of
these rivers above flood stage. 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 will continue to rise
quickly in response to any new areas of persistent heavy rainfall
that develops.
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 will exceed the Major, catastrophic
flooding observed in September 2004 from Hurricanes Frances and Ivan
and has the potential to exceed the 1916 floods, 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...Minor flooding is occurring and major flooding is forecast.
* WHERE...French Broad River at Asheville.
* WHEN...Until early Monday afternoon.
* IMPACTS...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.
At 19.0 feet, Major Flooding continues. Devastating impacts are
likely ongoing from Woodfin to I-240 and Carrier Park.
Floodwaters are likely impacting residences as well as businesses
on the left bank of the river while significant right-bank
inundation continues and worsens.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 12:00 PM EDT Thursday the stage was 10.3 feet.
- Action/Advisory Stage stage is 6.5 feet.
- Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours
ending at 12:00 PM EDT Thursday was 10.3 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 19.4
feet tomorrow morning. It will then fall below flood stage
early Monday morning.
- 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
18.0 feet on 06/01/1976.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Instruction:
Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive
cars through flooded areas.
To escape rising water, take the shortest path to higher ground.
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.
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.
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 this evening.late tonight at 1245
AM EDT.
Area Description:
Buncombe, NC
Forcast Office:
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC