Flash Flood — Polk, North Carolina

2023-06-20 · near Collinsville, Polk, North Carolina

Event narrative

Media and county comms reported flash flooding developed along upper portions of the North Pacolet River and multiple tributaries after 6 to 10 inches of rain fell in around 12 hours across southwest Polk County, with much of that falling in around 4 hours prior to daybreak. More than a dozen roads were inundated, including multiple roads over Skyuka Creek. A bridge over the Pacolet on Howard Gap Rd collapsed when the river rose to the level of the bridge.

Wider weather episode

Waves of showers and thunderstorms developed in the vicinity of a stalled frontal zone, and in the vicinity of the Blue Ridge escarpment in response to upslope flow. The result was localized areas of heavy-to-excessive rainfall, with anywhere from 5 to 10 inches reported over a 24-36 hour period. Isolated flash flooding developed across portions of the foothills and the Piedmont.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.1940, -82.1410)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1120261. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.