Flood Warning 09/26/2024 09:44 for North Carolina areas

...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...Major flooding is forecast. This approaches the flood of record. * WHERE...Swannanoa River at Biltmore. * WHEN...From this afternoon to early Sunday morning. * IMPACTS...At 19.0 feet, Major Flooding continues. Significant flooding around Biltmore Village continues including Brook St., Lodge St., Swan St., Angle St., and Boston Way. Floodwater levels are similar to those which occurred during Hurricane Frances in early September 2004. At 21.0 feet, Major Flooding continues. Devastating flooding of the Swannanoa River Valley is likely. Biltmore Village and surrounding areas in the Swannanoa River Valley are experiencing the worst flooding since measurements began in 1920. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 12:15 PM EDT Thursday the stage was 9.4 feet. - Action/Advisory Stage is 8.5 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage this afternoon to a crest of 21.0 feet early tomorrow afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage early Saturday afternoon. - Flood stage is 10.0 feet. - Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of 20.7 feet on 07/16/1916. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood