Headline:
Flood Warning issued September 28 at 12:05AM EDT until September 30 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Event:
Flood Warning
Urgency:
Immediate
Effective:
September 27, 2024 - 9:05pm
Expires:
September 30, 2024 - 5:00pm
Description:
...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in North
Carolina...
French Broad River At Blantyre affecting Transylvania and
Henderson Counties.
...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in North
Carolina...
French Broad River Near Fletcher affecting Buncombe and Henderson
Counties.
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.
.Devastating, historic flooding continues across the French Broad
and Swannanoa river valleys following the historic 6 to 22
(twenty-two) inch rainfall resulting from a stationary front
interacting with tropical moisture and Tropical Storm Helene. Most
of the French Broad River has crested, but it will take at least
another 36-48 hours for rivers to fall back below Action/Advisory
Stage. Therefore, Flood Warnings will remain in effect for most
locations through Saturday and into Sunday. While conditions will
gradually improve, the floodwaters will leave behind tragic scars
revealing the extent of the resultant damage. Numerous roads will
require days to weeks of closure.
* WHAT...Record flooding is occurring and record flooding is
forecast.
* WHERE...French Broad River near Fletcher.
* WHEN...Until Monday evening.
* IMPACTS...At 20.0 feet, Record Flood Stage. Significant and
damaging flooding of the French Broad River Valley is likely from
Etowah upstream to Avery Creek and Biltmore Park downstream of the
gauge site. Floodwaters are approaching levels similar to those
levels observed in during Hurricane Frances in early September,
2004.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 11:00 PM EDT Friday the stage was 29.8 feet and falling
steadily.
- Action/Advisory Stage is 10.0 feet.
- Recent Activity...The French Broad River at Fletcher crested
at a record 30.31 feet on September 27, 2024 at 6:45 PM. It
exceeded the previous record of 20.13 feet set on September
8, 2004 during Hurricane Frances.
- Forecast...The river is expected to fall below Minor Flood
Stage by late Monday morning and continue falling to 6.7 feet
Wednesday evening.
- Minor Flood Stage is 13.0 feet.
Moderate Flood Stage is 17.0 feet.
Major Flood Stage is 20.0 feet.
- Flood History...This crest exceeds a previous crest of 20.1
feet on 09/08/2004 from Hurricane Frances. Unprecedented
flooding is ongoing.
- Http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Instruction:
Numerous roads across the French Broad River and Swannanoa River
valleys will likely be closed for several days to weeks due to flood
damage. Travel will remain very hazardous and restricted. Please
obey all barricades and curfews put in place to ensure your safety
and the safety of first responders.
Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive
cars through flooded areas.
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 this afternoon at 200 PM
EDT.
Area Description:
Buncombe, NC; Henderson, NC
Forcast Office:
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC